DEAKIN UNIVERSITY COUNCIL Meeting 4, 2014 Thursday 7 August 2014 10 am East 2, Level 2, Building BC Melbourne Burwood Campus 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood Present: Apologies: Leave of absence: In attendance: MINUTES Mr David Morgan (Chair), Professor David Ashbridge, Ms Helene Bender, Ms Helen Buckingham, Professor Jane den Hollander, Ms Miranda Douglas-Crane, Professor Jean du Plessis, Ms Kathy Grigg, Mr David Joyce, Ms Philippa Kelly, Ms Jenni Lightowlers, Mr Peter Meehan (from Item 12), Ms Glenys Phillpot, Professor Ruth Rentschler, Mr John Stanhope. Mr Stuart Hamilton. Ms Jay Bonnington, Mr Peter Niblett. Professor Lee Astheimer, Mr William Confalonieri, Professor Trevor Day, Professor Chris Gray, Professor Beverley Oliver, Ms Jo Reid, Mr Kean Selway, Professor Gary Smith, Mr Andrew Walters. Visitors: Ms Stacey Mills (to Item 9), Mr Allyn Radford (Item 12). Secretariat: Procedural matters 1 Attendance Dr Glenn Nicholls, Mrs Rachel Haynes. 1.1 The Chancellor welcomed Council to its first meeting in the new Building BC at the Melbourne Burwood Campus, and reminded members of the day s program which would include the Council meeting, a tour of the building and its art works, and a strategy session on the development of the 2015-2017 Financial Plan from 2 pm. 1.2 Council noted the attendance of non-members and visitors. 2 Leave of absence 2.1 Council noted that it had granted leave of absence for this meeting to Ms Jay Bonnington and Mr Peter Niblett. 2.2 Council noted that there were no requests for leave of absence granted for the meeting of 11 September 2014 or any other future meeting.
3 Conflict of interest 3.1 Council noted that the following interests were declared in relation to Item 13: Professor Jane den Hollander previous working relationship with a named company and responsibilities representing Deakin in its capacity as the sole Callista shareholder Mr Kean Selway Chair, Callista Board Mr William Confalonieri member, Callista Board. 3.2 Council noted legal advice that there was no impediment to the individuals being present or, where applicable, voting on the item. 4 Starring of items 4.1 Council starred Item 25. 4.2 Council received: 5 Minutes all remaining unstarred items on the agenda and approved any recommendations contained therein. 5.1 Council confirmed the minutes of Meeting 3, 2014 held on 25 June. 5.2 Council recalled its request for information further to the Report on Student Complaints Handling in 2013. 5.3 Professor Chris Gray, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Planning and Integrity) informed Council of the nature of several of the complaints covered in the report and advised that: no sector-wide data on the number of complaints was available, but the limited comparative statistics that are obtainable indicate that Deakin s rate of complaints is consistent with other universities at approximately 100 complaints per 10,000 students complaints about cyber-bullying are increasing across the sector and the University is carefully monitoring this issue complaints handling at Deakin is becoming better integrated in normal business and the complaints pages are moving to a more prominent position on the University s website. 6 Business arising There were no items of business arising that were not identified elsewhere on the agenda. 7 Next meeting Council noted that the next meeting (Meeting 5, 2014) would be held on Thursday 11 September at 3 pm in the James Leslie Council Chamber, Level 4, The Sally Walker Building (ad4.302). Reports and presentations 8 Report from the Vice-Chancellor 8.1 Council received a report from the Vice-Chancellor. 8.2 Council noted that: student enrolment numbers (EFTSL) are on target to achieve the full year 2014 target, 7% above 2013 7 August 2014 Page 2 of 7
Deakin researchers had: achieved the State s top success rate in the recent Australian Research Council grant round with a success rate 8% above the national average of 35.9% won two prestigious ARC Future Fellowships. Deakin s purchase of the T&G building in Geelong had attracted strong positive media coverage, reflecting the high level of attention paid to the University s role in Geelong. 9 Report from the Chief Financial Officer 9.1 Council received a presentation from Mr Andrew Walters, Chief Financial Officer on finances and major projects and noted that: the University was forecast to achieve full year budget targets year to date employment expenditure was below budget Faculties had introduced recruitment disciplines which had delayed some appointments to ensure that the best fit candidate was recruited full year employment expenditure was forecast to be just below (0.4%) the budget target. 9.2 Council received the Financial Report and the Portfolio Report on major projects for the period to 30 June 2014 and noted that projects and initiatives were expected to be favourable for the full year. 10 Presentation from the Vice-President (Enterprise) Council received a presentation from Mr Kean Selway, Vice-President (Enterprise) on Deakin s Sustainable Enterprise program and noted that Deakin: has adopted the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 framework which is the leading international sustainability reporting framework is the first university in the world to have satisfied the materiality test under this convention has reduced paper use by 48% since 2010 has reduced fleet travel by 1.8m km since 2012 won the 2013 Green Gown Australasia Award for Carbon Reduction. Items for consideration or approval 11 Review of the University s 2014 mid year progress report Council considered the University s progress against its LIVE the future targets as at 30 June 2014 and noted that progress was good. Of the 13 high level targets, 11 are on track to be achieved in 2014 and two have fallen behind but are recoverable. 12 DeakinDigital Pty Ltd 2014 Business Plan 12.1 Council considered the 2014 Business Plan for DeakinDigital Pty Ltd. 12.2 Council received a presentation from Mr Allyn Radford, Chief Executive Officer, DeakinDigital on DeakinDigital s vision, educational framework, progress in building partnerships with industry, investment options and risks. 12.3 Council approved: the DeakinDigital Pty Ltd 2014 Business Plan as set out in Appendix A to item 12.1, including the adoption of the recommended investment option over the three years 2014-2016. 7 August 2014 Page 3 of 7
13 Student Management System replacement 13.1 Council considered a proposal for the transition of the student management system (SMS) to a new platform. 13.2 Council noted that a comprehensive tender and evaluation process had occurred and rigorous oversight provided by the Finance and Business Affairs Committee. Council also considered the 10 year discounted cash flow analysis for transitioning to the new system compared to remaining with the current system. 13.3 Council approved: the transition to a new student management system, commencing with a three-year implementation plan in 2014 as set out in Appendix A to item 13.1, including: the selection of Tribal Group s SITS:Vision as the new student management system funding of up to a named amount over three years to implement the new student management system. This includes evaluation work to date, a project contingency, and vendor license and implementation fees of named amounts that the Deakin Portfolio Board consider and approve detailed business implementation plans for each major phase of the transition to the new student management system. 14 ManuFutures Geelong 14.1 Council considered a proposal regarding the development of ManuFutures Geelong at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus. 14.2 Council noted that ManuFutures would: provide established and start-up enterprises with access to Deakin s research and development expertise and build a community of students, researchers and industry partners offer students the opportunity to improve their employability through connecting them with industry partners for work integrated learning placements, internships and PhDs attract investment such that the University expected to recover its contribution within a decade. 14.3 Council approved: the utilisation of land and expenditure of up to $30m, comprised of $10m of internal funding and equivalent contributions of $10m each from the Victorian and Commonwealth governments, for the development of the ManuFutures Geelong facility at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, subject to Deakin being successful in obtaining government funding. 15 Acquisition of property adjoining the Geelong Waterfront Campus 15.1 Council considered a proposal to acquire the Sea Mist Geelong Apartments at 62-64 Western Beach Road, and adjoining vacant block of land at 66 Western Beach Road, Geelong. 15.2 Council noted: the proposed purchase price was in accordance with the Victorian Government Land Monitor s evaluation in addition to its advantageous location, the apartment building would require only modest refurbishment to be suitable for student accommodation, pending a decision about the longterm use of the property. 7 August 2014 Page 4 of 7
15.3 Council approved: expenditure of up to $4.035m to purchase the land and buildings at 62-64 and 66 Western Beach Road, Geelong. 16 Establishment of an environmental, social and governance investment pool 16.1 Council considered a proposal regarding the establishment of an environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment pool. 16.2 Council noted that: there is potential for strong long term returns from an ESG Pool but in the short-term the pool has a higher risk of volatility than indexed funds establishing an ESG Pool would complement the University s broader sustainability initiatives. 16.3 Council approved that: an Environmental, Social and Governance Investment Pool be established in the Future Fund through a transfer of $10m from the Short Term Investment Pool in future years the total annual transfer of funds to the Future Fund be increased from $10m to $15m, and that the Investment Committee be charged with determining the appropriate split of such investment between the Environmental, Social and Governance Investment Pool and the Long Term Investment Pool. 17 2014 review of Council Council considered a report on the process for the 2014 review of Council and noted that: the 2014 review would be conducted via an online survey the survey would close at 5 pm on 29 August results would be reported back to Council at its meeting on 29 October. 18 Review of the Council Operating Provisions 18.1 Council considered a proposal to amend the Council Operating Provisions. 18.2 Council approved that: the amended Council Operating Provisions as set out in Appendix A, effective immediately. 19 Amendments to University legislation 19.1 Council considered a report proposing amendments to Regulations 05.2(1) Academic Awards and 02.2(1) The Academic Board. 19.2 Council approved that: Regulation 05.2(1) Academic Awards be amended as set out in Appendix A Regulation 02.2(1) The Academic Board be amended as set out in Appendix B. 7 August 2014 Page 5 of 7
Reports from Council committees 20 Report from the Audit and Risk Committee Council received a report on matters arising from Meeting 3, 2014 of the Audit and Risk Committee held on 30 June and noted that: the Committee had approved the revised 2014 Internal Audit Plan the next Council Planning Conference would feature a session on the University s most important risks, including presentations from the risk owners. 21 Report from the Chancellor s Advisory Committee Council received a report on matters arising from Meeting 4, 2014 of the Chancellor s Advisory Committee held on 8 July. 22 Report from the Finance and Business Affairs Committee Council received a report on matters arising from Meeting 4, 2014 of the Finance and Business Affairs Committee held on 21 July. 23 Report from the Legislation Committee Council received a report on matters arising from Meeting 3, 2014 of the Legislation Committee held via circular resolution on 29 July. Items for information 24 Report from the Academic Board Council received a report on matters arising from Meeting 4, 2014 of the Academic Board held on 22 July. Other matters 25 Other business Carbon Revolution 25.1 The Chief Financial Officer advised Council of the opportunity for a further investment (of up to 5%) by Deakin in Carbon Revolution Pty Ltd, which required action prior to the next meeting of Council. 25.2 Council resolved to: refer a proposal for further investment in Carbon Revolution to the Finance and Business Affairs Committee for consideration and, if appropriate, approval. Fee FAQs and Why Deakin handouts 25.3 The Vice-Chancellor advised Council of the high level of interest among potential students about Deakin s future fees and provided a Fact Sheet prepared for staff for the August Open Days. 7 August 2014 Page 6 of 7
Confidential items of business (Secretary s note: the following item of business was considered in-camera, in the absence of non-members and visitors.) 26 Conferral of the title of Emeritus Professor 26.1 Council considered a proposal for the conferral of the title of Emeritus Professor on named persons. 26.2 Council approved that: the title of Emeritus Professor be conferred upon the following individuals: Professors Douglas Kirsner, with immediate effect Professor Stan van Hooft, effective from 1 November 2014. The meeting closed at 1 pm. Chair:.. Date:.. 7 August 2014 Page 7 of 7