Annual Report 1978

THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE ANNUAL REPORT 1978 PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY \n OF WfTg^ CONTENTS Introduction 2 Council 3 The Professors 3 The Academic Board 4 Graduates of The University and The Graduate Committee . 4 The Faculties 5 The Library 29 Research . 30 Office for Continuing Education 31 Finance 32 Buildings 35 Student Affairs 40 University Sport 44 The Graduate Union 45 Melbourne University Press 45 Melbourne Theatre Company 46 The University Assembly 47 Staff 49 Gifts, Grants and Bequests 60 Statistics 71 Colleges and Halls of Residence 78 Scholarships, Exhibitions and Prizes 79 Degrees and Diplomas Conferred 91 ANNUAL REPORT Report on the proceedings of the University for the year ended 31 December, 1978. His Excellency, The Hon. Sir Henry Winneke, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., O.B.E., K.St.J., Q.C., Governor of Victoria. Your Excellency, The Council of the University of Melbourne has the honour, in accordance with Section 46 of the University Act 1958, to present the first part of its report on the proceedings of the University during the year 1978. In addition to a general account of University activities, Part One of the Annual Report includes a statement of income and expenditure in respect of the General Fund as submitted for audit. Part Two of the Annual Report, which will be issued later, will be the audited financial statements. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient servant, OLIVER GILLARD Chancellor INTRODUCTION The Annual Reports for 1975, 1976 and 1977 emphasized the uncer tainties created for universities by the fact that the Commonwealth Government did not adopt the recommendations of the Sixth Report of the Universities Commission in 1975, and by the steps taken by that Government which made it impossible for the universities to plan for more than a year at a time. Perhaps the most important single event in 1978 was the enactment, in December, of the States Grants (Tertiary Education Assistance) Act, 1978. That Act re-instituted, at least partially, triennial grants for universities. Recurrent grants for 1979,1980 and 1981 were provided, and some capacity for the universities to budget on a triennial basis was re-established. Although, unfortunately, capital grants and equipment grants were left to be decided on an annual basis, the provisions made for recurrent grants removed some of the uncertain ties which had been besetting university planning. That was seen as an advance even if the view of the future thereby provided was a gloomy one. The recurrent grants provided, in the light of the student load targets set by the Tertiary Education Commission, meant that this University, after more than 10 years of progressive restrictions, would be further reduced in its operating budgets. In fact, from 1975 to 1982, it is possible now to say, this University will have carried on all of its services to the public and to the nation with a progressively reducing operating budget in real terms, with no capital moneys for new buildings or for replacing old buildings, and with insufficient capital moneys even for the proper adaptation, repair and maintenance of its existing buildings. Even some of those capital grants which were made in legislation passed in 1972, were taken away by legislation passed in 1975. In the last Annual Report, it was noted that proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria had put in doubt the University's pro cedures for collecting fees from enrolling students for a variety of purposes including the University's sporting and recreational activi ties, the Union House facilities, and for the activities of the Students' Representative Council. The Victorian Government moved to amend the University Act so as to make it clear that a power resided in the University to collect such fees but in doing so certain provisions were inserted into the Act which made the domestic administration of the University's affairs more difficult. In August, 1978, the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Victoria held that the University Act properly interpreted had always provided power to collect the fees concerned. {The University of Melbourne v Clark [1979] V.R. 66). The judgement delivered by the Full Court was a most important one for the light it shed on the nature of the University. Important developments with respect to the relations between univer sities and their academic staffs, which had been brewing for some years, began to take shape during 1978. These turned upon moves by academic staff associations, and by the Federation of Australian University Staff Associations, to invoke the jurisdictions of the various industrial arbitration tribunals in the States and the Commonwealth. Quite fundamental questions affecting the nature of universities and their relations with outside authorities are raised by those develop ments and they are unlikely to be resolved quickly. It would be unfortunate to limit this introduction to financial and administrative problems. In spite of difficulties, we have not stood still nor do we face stagnation. All parts of the University within their foreseeable resources have plans and hopes for change and develop ment. The University has been changing and developing in the past few years. The body of the Report reveals the nature of those developments. COUNCIL The Honourable Sir Oliver Gillard was elected as Chancellor and took office on 18 March, 1978. Professor Emeritus R. D. Wright was re-elected as Deputy Chancellor for the seventh year. Dr J. D. McCaughey was elected as the other Deputy Chancellor. Mr D. Hogan replaced Mr B. Bartl as President of the Students' Representative Council on 1 December, 1978 and accordingly assumed the ex-officio position on Council from that date. Dr L. W. Weickhardt resigned as a member elected by the Graduates on 31 August, 1978 and was replaced on 2 October by Mr J. C. Habersberger. Dr J. Fan was elected as a member representing the undergraduate students, succeeding Mr R. C. Tanter whose term expired on 16 December, 1978. Dr J. W. Watson resigned on 31 December, 1978, following his appointment to the Victorian Post-Secondary Education Commission. Professor D. O. White, re-appointed as Pro Vice-Chancellor, com pleted his appointment on 31 December. Professor K. V. F. Jubb was also re-appointed as a Pro Vice- Chancellor. THE PROFESSORS The following professors took up their appointments to Chairs during 1978: Professor G. J. A. Clunie (James Stewart Chair of Surgery); Professor B. L. Cole (Optometry); Professor C. R. Duckworth (French); Professor R. J. Pepperell (Dunbar Hooper Chair of Obstet rics and Gynaecology); Professor P. J. B. Rose (Sidney Myer Chair of Commerce and Business Administration); Professor G. B. Ryan (Anatomy); Professor L. Simon (Mathematics); Professor J. G. Waterson (Conservative Dentistry). Professor J. R. V. Ball and Professor P. S. Bhathal were appointed as Professorial Associates with the title of professor in conjunction with their respective appointments as Senior Psychiatrist at St Vincent's Hospital and Director of Anatomical Pathology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Professor J. Bowman (Middle Eastern Studies) retired in February, 1978, Professor A. G. Austin (Education) in September, and Professor J. T. A. Burke (Fine Arts) and Professor V. D. Hopper (Physics, R.A.A.F. Academy) at the end of the year. THE ACADEMIC BOARD Professor D. O. White continued as Chairman of the Board for 1978, Professor K. V. F. Jubb as Vice-Chairman and Professor H. F. Simon as Deputy Vice-Chairman. The transition from the old Professorial Board to the new Academic Board was completed during the year. The Board introduced a series of reports from faculties to familiarize members with the distinctive characteristics of the dozen faculties in the University and to provide an opportunity for discussion of their problems and aspirations. A new standing committee was established to advise the Board on matters concerning prospective and new students, including advice to prospective students and the transition and orientation problems of new students in general, and of overseas, country, older and part- time students in particular. The University's General and Special Principles of Selection were revised during the year. Agreement was reached with the other three Victorian universities on future requirements for university entrance following the announcement by the Victorian Institute of Secondary Education that the Higher School Certificate examination is shortly to be abolished. A uniform system of recording examination marks and conversion into grades was introduced. Steps were taken to encourage excellence and innovation in teaching and to ensure that teaching programmes are continually re-assessed during the present era of no-growth. GRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITY AND THE GRADUATE COMMITTEE Mr T. P. Bruce was re-elected as President of the Graduates of the University for a further year. The Annual Ordinary Meeting of the Graduates of the University was held on Thursday, 31 August, 1978. The meeting was attended by approximately 25 graduates and friends. The Graduate Committee held 10 ordinary meetings during the year and 82 items of legislation were received from Council for approval. In addition to its statutory duties, the Committee was addressed at its meetings by guest speakers on various aspects of the University and its community. Members also visited the University Gallery and the Grainger Museum. An election was held in April, 1978 to fill four casual vacancies occur ring on the Graduate Committee. The following were elected as representatives of graduates in their respective classes: Science — Dr A. J. W. Moore, B.Sc, Ph.D., Cantab.; Architecture, Building and Town & Regional Planning — Mr B. G. Douglas, B.Arch., Dip.T.R.P.; Music & Education — Ms G. Northey, B.Mus., Dip.Ed.; and Economics & Commerce — Mr M.

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