ANNUAL REPORT 2015 latrobe.edu.au CONTENTS 1 Letter of transmittal 20 External reporting obligations 2 Message from the Chancellor 20 Freedom of information 2 Message from the Vice-Chancellor 20 Information privacy 3 La Trobe at a glance 20 Whistleblowers, grievance and complaints 4 La Trobe University – 50 years in the making 20 National competition policy 6 Highlights of 2015 20 Conformity with the Building Act 1993 8 Organisation 21 La Trobe Infrastructure and Operations (I&O) projects 2015 10 Operating framework 22 La Trobe University consultants 2015 10 Governance and accountability 22 Statement on compulsory non-academic 10 Relevant minister fees, subscriptions and charges 10 Objectives, functions, powers and duties 24 Financial overview 11 La Trobe’s Code of Conduct 24 Commercial activities table 12 Human resources 27 University disclosure index table 13 Key statistics 31 Financial statements 14 Risk management 14 Details of indemnity for members of Council and senior officers 14 University’s risk management strategy IMAGE 15 Risk management approach In 2015 the University welcomed a significant new addition to our sculpture 16 Health and safety statement collection – a family of Rhinos! Entitled ‘Run for your Life’, the family of three black Rhinos, created by artists Gillie and Marc, were gifted by Wonderment 16 Associates and commercial ventures Walk Victoria. Wonderment Walk Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation committed to bringing art to public places, with installations that combine 17 Sustainability reporting science, mathematics and art to engage passers-by with wonder, delight and curiosity. The University has developed a close relationship with Wonderment 19 Risk management statement Walk Victoria, and is continuing to collaborate on new projects. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Mailing address La Trobe University Victoria 3086 Australia +61 3 9479 5268 OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR T F +61 3 9479 1045 E [email protected] latrobe.edu.au MELBOURNE CAMPUSES Bundoora Collins Street CBD Franklin Street CBD REGIONAL CAMPUSES Bendigo Albury-Wondonga Mildura Shepparton 22 March 2016 Minister for Training and Skills 2 Treasury Place EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002 Dear Minister In accordance with the requirements of regulations under the Financial Management Act 1994, I am pleased to submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the La Trobe University Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2015. Yours sincerely Adrienne E Clarke AC Chancellor ABN 64 804 735 113 CRICOS Provider 00115M Annual Report 2015 1 MESSAGES Chancellor's message Vice-Chancellor's message Council’s work during 2015 focused on two major projects which During 2015 we updated La Trobe University’s Future Ready: are transformational for the University. The first is monitoring Strategic Plan 2013-2017 with a renewed focus on our mission, implementation of the changes set out in the Future Ready: our culture, our regions and four pillars of a distinctive La Trobe: Strategic Plan 2013-2017. The second is the implementation of the outstanding student experience, student employability, research campus masterplans for both Bundoora and Bendigo. excellence and brilliant basics. We restated our vision ‘to be a University where inclusiveness and globally recognised excellence We also had some changes in Council membership. Professor meet’ and maintained our ambitious enrolment targets and our Marilyn Anderson AO FAA FTSE had her position as a Ministerial aspiration to be ranked amongst the world’s best universities. Appointment extended to the end of 2016. Mr Andrew Eddy and Dr Phil Moors AO, both of whom are Deputy Chancellors, were We made considerable progress towards our goals during 2015, reappointed. Mr Bill Kelty AC was also reappointed to the end of a year in which we grew our teaching, research, partnership and 2016. The three members who were appointed last year have community engagement activities and simultaneously implemented brought their expertise to different sub committees of Council. the most significant reform program this University has seen. Ms Yvonne von Hartel AM is contributing to the Infrastructure and The changes we made were essential for our advancement and Estates Planning Committee. Emeritus Professor Richard Larkins AO by year’s end we had some clear evidence that the University’s is contributing to both the Human Resources Committee and transformation was taking effect. The 2015 Excellence in Research for Corporate Governance Audit and Risk Committee. Ms Deborah Australia (ERA) results showed an astonishing improvement in our Radford has joined both the Finance and Resources Committee performance compared to the previous assessment in 2012, with and Corporate Governance Audit and Risk Committee. In addition, La Trobe ranked as one of the top 10 research universities in Australia. she has taken on the very important role of chairing the Foundation Committee. This is a critical role as planning for the 50th Anniversary In 2015, we also saw the University regain its place in the top celebrations in 2017 progresses. We are very grateful that 400 universities in the world according to both the QS and Times Ms Radford has agreed to take on this additional leadership role. Higher Education rankings; jumping 25 positions to number 75 in the Times Higher Education list of the world’s top 100 universities Towards the end of 2015, legislation was passed in the Victorian under 50 years of age; and rank among the top 100 universities in Parliament to add elected staff and student members to Council. the world for Arts and Humanities. Elections will take place in the first half of 2016 for these positions. I thank staff for their hard work during the year and hope that they The reform program as set out in the Strategic Plan is starting to will enjoy the successes that come from our shared commitment. yield results. Our financial result is strong, which gives us a stable The progress we made was only possible because of the dedication platform for growth. Our research performance improved significantly of our staff, who worked tirelessly to continue La Trobe’s tradition of and consequently our position in the national and international serving distinctive communities and helping to address the big rankings also improved. We look forward to further successes issues of our time. On both counts we have made many significant during 2016. achievements of which to be proud. The following pages contain just some of the many highlights of what was a very productive year. I would like to congratulate all staff and students on their achievements. Together, we have set the platform for the University to achieve the ambitious targets we have set ourselves for 2017. Adrienne E Clarke AC Chancellor Professor John Dewar Vice-Chancellor La Trobe University 2 La Trobe University LA TROBE AT A GLANCE Purpose / Mission The purpose of La Trobe University is set out in the La Trobe University Act 2009. “La Trobe’s founding mission was, and remains, to serve the community of Victoria for the purposes of higher education, for the education, economic, social and cultural benefit of Victorians and for wider Australian and international communities. From inception, La Trobe has been particularly focused on providing access to quality higher education to those from disadvantaged backgrounds and has become an internationally recognised leader in this field. Innovation in teaching and research was, and remains, central to its mission. Through this re-enactment of its foundation legislation, La Trobe University reaffirms its commitment to the pursuit of excellence and innovation, providing for the needs of the Victorian, Australian and international communities.” Vision and aspiration Connected Quick facts Since its foundation in 1964, La Trobe We connect to the world outside — § Established in 1964 University has sought to be different. the students and communities we serve, § First enrolments in 1967 – 552 both locally and globally. We were created to broaden participation § Student load (EFTSL) in in higher education among communities 2015 (provisional) – 27,587 in Melbourne’s north and regional Victoria. Innovative § Staff (full-time equivalent) in 2015 We have joined this mission with that of We tackle the big issues of our time (provisional) – 1,880 pursuing world class research that makes to transform the lives of our students § More than 178,000 alumni a difference to some of the world’s most and society. § Campuses in Melbourne (Bundoora pressing problems. We are one of Australia’s and CBD), Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, most successful universities in pursuing Accountable Mildura and Shepparton these multiple missions. In short, La Trobe We strive for excellence in everything we do. § Colleges: Science, Health and is a place where social inclusion and globally We hold each other and ourselves to account, Engineering (SHE); and Arts, Social recognised excellence come together for the and work to the highest standard. Sciences and Commerce (ASSC) benefit of our students and our communities. While pursuing this distinctive path, we Care Acknowledgement will still measure ourselves against the We care about what we do and why we do it. rest of the sector. Accordingly, La Trobe La Trobe University proudly acknowledges We believe in the power of education and will be one of the top three universities in the traditional custodians of the lands on research to transform lives and global society. Victoria, one of the top 12 nationally and which its campuses are located in Victoria. We care about being the difference in the one of the top 500 internationally. lives of our students and communities. We recognise that Indigenous Australians have an ongoing connection to the land Our culture and the University values their unique Our values contribution both to the University and the We aspire to “Be The Difference”. Be The La Trobe University’s values are outlined wider Australian society. Difference acknowledges why we exist, in Future Ready: Strategic Plan 2013-2017.