12 October 2005

The Board of Trustees met on Wednesday 12 October 2005, in the Boardroom, Building AD, Werrington North Campus.  A summary of resolutions and other items is provided below.

Confirmation of Minutes

The minutes of the August meeting were confirmed.

SECTION A - MAIN ITEMS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD

Voluntary Student Union Fee Legislation

The Board considered a broad assessment of the implications for the University of the VSU legislation.

The Board was aware of the current political climate and the status of the debate in the Parliament.  It is unclear at the moment whether VSU will commence on 1 January 2006, and in what form.  Nevertheless, the University needs to plan for 2006 and beyond on the assumption that VSU, as it is currently proposed, will become a reality.  The financial impact is a loss of fees funding of $10m and this would have a major impact on the provision of services across the campuses.

The University will continue to lobby the Government for changes to the proposed legislation.

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Update on the Realignment of Colleges and Schools

The Board noted and discussed a progress report on the UWS Sustainability Agenda:  the Realignment of the Colleges and Schools.

See also item “UWS Academic Governance 2006+ The Realignment of the Colleges and Schools”.

DEST Teaching & Learning Performance Fund

The Vice-Chancellor reported that the Federal Government established a Learning and Teaching Performance Fund totalling $245M over the period of 2006 to 2008 with an allocation of $54M in 2006, based on measures outlined in an assessment framework developed by DEST.

The University is concerned about the statistical analysis of data collected from students completing in 2003 and the allocation of funding on the basis of a league table.  These concerns have been detailed to DEST.  This process of data collection and analysis is likely to be reviewed in 2006.

The 2005 Graduate Destination Survey/Course Experience Questionnaire was conducted between October 2004 and July 2005.  Explicit Overall Satisfaction for 2005 was 62%, a significant increase of 6.6% percentage points from 2004.

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Related documents

Research Quality Framework

The Commonwealth Government’s stated aim of the Research Quality Framework (RQF) is to develop the basis for an improved assessment of the quality and impact of publicly funded research and an effective process to achieve this.  The RQF will then be linked to new funding distribution mechanisms that will replace the present system of research performance based funding through the Institutional Grant Scheme (IGS) and the Research Training Scheme (RTS).

The first RQF assessment is expected to take place in 2007, with effect on funding from 2008.  UWS, like other universities, is taking steps to prepare itself to adapt to the new research policy environment.  The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) is working with the Research Committee to understand its implications for research and research development, and to translate these into changes in the research culture of the University.  The likely requirements of the RQF have also been taken into account in the recommendations for research management in the Colleges and Schools Realignment project.  The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) is also meeting with her counterparts from other New Generation Universities to discuss collaboration in a mock RQF assessment during 2006.

SECTION B - OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD

Vice-Chancellor’s Report

The Vice-Chancellor presented a written report to the Board and spoke on a number of current issues including the Academic Program Review, Learning and Teaching Performance Fund and Research Quality Framework, addressed elsewhere in this summary.

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Related documents

The Vice-Chancellor’s written report.

Academic Program Review

The Board noted the final report on the Academic Program Review, and commended the University for the extensive work undertaken under the APR and the achievement of the objectives.

Research: Beginning to Invest

The Board endorsed the proposed research investment in existing research centres, a new Urban Research Centre, and research in molecular biology/biochemistry, molecular pharmacology, and public health.

The Board noted the processes proposed for planning future research investment.

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International Strategy Development

The Board noted this report and that onshore and offshore programs are being assessed, not only in terms of financial viability and quality, but also whether the relationships have potential to contribute to UWS more broadly.

Strategy and Resources Committee

At its 21 September meeting, the Strategy and Resources Committee considered a report on the draft 2006 UWS budget, including assumptions, outcomes and detailed budget tables.  The draft shows that income in 2006 is projected to increase by 5.4% over 2005 results, while expenditure in 2006 is projected to increase by 3.9% over 2005 results, with the aim of achieving an outcome close to break-even in 2006 (excluding capital grants and entity income and expenditure). This is in the context of salary cost increases of 5.5% and will require the achievement of significant expenditure savings targeted through programs such as the Divisional Review Group. Strategic investments are planned in research, learning and teaching and University engagement.  However, the draft budget does not include provisions for the VSU (voluntary student unionism) legislation, which will potentially eliminate $10m in fees used for the support of student services and amenities.

The Board noted the SRC’s recommendation and will consider the final budget at the November Board meeting.

Academic Governance

The Board noted an outline of the proposals for change in academic governance structures at UWS.  The Chair of Academic Senate will now release this discussion paper to the University community for comment and then bring it back to the Board with recommendations.

Process for the Selection of an Architectural Firm to Design the School of Medicine Building on Campbelltown Campus

The new School of Medicine will have its first student intake in 2007. Appropriate facilities need to be developed in time to accommodate the arrival of these students. In order to achieve this aim, work on the development of facilities for the School of Medicine has begun, including the selection of an appropriate site on the Campbelltown Campus and the selection of an architectural firm to undertake a detailed design.

Four firms took part in the selective design competition and, following two days of evaluation by a jury of senior external and internal members. Lyons were commissioned to undertake a detailed design and the documentation for the project.

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Fee-Paying Places for Australian and Australian Permanent Resident Medical Students

At its August meeting the Board resolved to offer up to eight full fee places to Australian citizens, commencing with the first intake of medical students in 2007.  At the October meeting the Board resolved that its August resolution be amended to include permanent residents.

Other Reports and Items Considered by the Board

  • DIMIA Matter at Bankstown Campus
  • National Governance Protocols
  • Parramatta Campus Safety Project
  • Teaching of Science at the University of Western Sydney
  • Board Strategy Day – Report on Progress
  • Academic Senate
  • Regional Council
  • Audit & Risk Management Committee – Membership Update
  • Campus Development Committee
  • Indigenous Advisory Council
  • Remuneration and Nominations Committee
  • Business and Industry Advisory Panel
  • UWS Foundation Board and Fundraising Strategies
  • Open Day Report
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Staffing Matters
  • UWS Medical School
  • Recent Developments on Callista
  • Board of Trustees Elections  

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