GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC COMMITTEEpublic-sharepoint.griffith.edu.au/sites/committee-app... ·...

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Academic Committee Minutes 3/2018 Thursday 13 September 2018 __________________________________________________________________________________________ www.griffith.edu.au/committees Page 1 of 12 GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC COMMITTEE A meeting of the Academic Committee of the Griffith University Council was held at 10:00am on Thursday, 13 September 2018 in Council Chambers, Room 2.01/2.02, Leneen Forde Chancellery (G34), Gold Coast campus. MINUTES PRESENT: APOLOGIES: Professor Debra Henly (Chair) Professor Ian O’Connor (Vice Chancellor) Professor Bonnie Barber Professor Ruth Bereson Professor Sue Berners-Price Professor Martin Betts Professor Andrea Bialocerkowski Professor Nick Buys Professor Fabrizio Carmignani Professor James Carson Professor Wendy Chaboyer Dr Natalie Colson Professor Graham Cuskelly Dr Aysin Dedekorkut Dr Deborah Delaney Dr Lakal Dissabandara Professor Gerry Docherty Professor Rob Ellis Dr Amir Etemad Shahidi Professor Mark Forwood Professor Ross Guest Professor Alf Lizzio Professor Wendy Loughlin Professor Paul Mazerolle Professor Donna McAuliffe Dr Christine McDonald Professor George Mellick Ms Linda O’Brien Professor Donna Pendergast Professor Sheena Reilly Professor Fran Sheldon Professor Rosemary Stockdale Ms Maureen Sullivan Professor Sarah Todd Professor Michael Townsley Professor Joan Vaccaro Ms Karen van Haeringen (acting Academic Registrar) Dr Benjamin Weeks Associate Professor Michelle Whitford Professor Therese Wilson Mr Ning Zhu Mr Mark Fisher (Secretary) Professor Debra Anderson Professor Mark Brimble Mr Peter Bryant Professor Derrick Cherrie Associate Professor Sarojni Choy Professor Andrew Davey Professor David Ellwood Professor Rebecca Ford Associate Professor Albert Gabric Professor Jennifer Gamble Professor David Grant Ms Kathy Grgic Professor Scott Harrison Associate Professor Robyn Hollander Mr Ryan Kungl Professor Robert Love Professor Ruth McPhail Professor Sherif Mohamed Professor Wendy Moyle Professor David Neumann Professor Andrew O’Neill Professor Ned Pankhurst Professor Tony Perkins Professor Robert Sang Dr Naveen Sharma Professor Andrew Smith Mr Indhushaan Sripathy Professor Bela Stantic Associate Professor Mohan Thite Professor Herman Van Eyken Mr Scott Wallace Professor Scott Weaven Mr Jason Wessel 1.0 COMMITTEE QUORUM 1.1 At the scheduled meeting time, a quorum of the Committee was present (39 members in attendance, including the Chair - current requirement for quorum: 36 members).

Transcript of GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC COMMITTEEpublic-sharepoint.griffith.edu.au/sites/committee-app... ·...

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GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY

ACADEMIC COMMITTEE

A meeting of the Academic Committee of the Griffith University Council was held at 10:00am on Thursday, 13 September 2018 in Council Chambers, Room 2.01/2.02, Leneen Forde Chancellery (G34), Gold Coast campus.

MINUTES

PRESENT: APOLOGIES: Professor Debra Henly (Chair) Professor Ian O’Connor (Vice Chancellor) Professor Bonnie Barber Professor Ruth Bereson Professor Sue Berners-Price Professor Martin Betts Professor Andrea Bialocerkowski Professor Nick Buys Professor Fabrizio Carmignani Professor James Carson Professor Wendy Chaboyer Dr Natalie Colson Professor Graham Cuskelly Dr Aysin Dedekorkut Dr Deborah Delaney Dr Lakal Dissabandara Professor Gerry Docherty Professor Rob Ellis Dr Amir Etemad Shahidi Professor Mark Forwood Professor Ross Guest Professor Alf Lizzio Professor Wendy Loughlin Professor Paul Mazerolle Professor Donna McAuliffe Dr Christine McDonald Professor George Mellick Ms Linda O’Brien Professor Donna Pendergast Professor Sheena Reilly Professor Fran Sheldon Professor Rosemary Stockdale Ms Maureen Sullivan Professor Sarah Todd Professor Michael Townsley Professor Joan Vaccaro Ms Karen van Haeringen (acting Academic Registrar) Dr Benjamin Weeks Associate Professor Michelle Whitford Professor Therese Wilson Mr Ning Zhu Mr Mark Fisher (Secretary)

Professor Debra Anderson Professor Mark Brimble Mr Peter Bryant Professor Derrick Cherrie Associate Professor Sarojni Choy Professor Andrew Davey Professor David Ellwood Professor Rebecca Ford Associate Professor Albert Gabric Professor Jennifer Gamble Professor David Grant Ms Kathy Grgic Professor Scott Harrison Associate Professor Robyn Hollander Mr Ryan Kungl Professor Robert Love Professor Ruth McPhail Professor Sherif Mohamed Professor Wendy Moyle Professor David Neumann Professor Andrew O’Neill Professor Ned Pankhurst Professor Tony Perkins Professor Robert Sang Dr Naveen Sharma Professor Andrew Smith Mr Indhushaan Sripathy Professor Bela Stantic Associate Professor Mohan Thite Professor Herman Van Eyken Mr Scott Wallace Professor Scott Weaven Mr Jason Wessel

1.0 COMMITTEE QUORUM

1.1 At the scheduled meeting time, a quorum of the Committee was present (39 members in attendance, including the Chair - current requirement for quorum: 36 members).

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2.0 DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

2.1 No conflicts of interest were declared. 3.0 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

3.1 The minutes of the 2/2018 meeting were taken as read and confirmed. 4.0 MEMBERSHIP

4.1 Academic Committee moved a vote of thanks for the contribution of the following

outgoing member throughout their term of office.

Membership Category Member

Acting Head of Department (International Business and Asian Studies)

Professor Peter Tatham

4.2 The Committee noted the following new members.

Membership Category Member

Dean, Learning and Student Outcomes Associate Professor Michelle Whitford

Head of Department (International Business and Asian Studies)

Professor Rosemary Stockdale

SECTION A: RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS TO COUNCIL

5.0 REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT

5.1 The Committee noted that the School of Environment was reviewed during October 2017. An independent Review Committee, comprising three committee members external to the University and one committee member internal to Griffith University reviewed the School.

5.2 The Review was conducted in accordance with the University Reviews Policy

(2016/0000215) and University Reviews Guidelines (2016/0000262). In addressing the terms of reference for the review, the Review Committee undertook an evaluation of the specific functions, current performance and future plans of the School.

5.3 Members were provided with the Report of the Committee Reviewing the School of

Environment (2018/0002858) and The Response to the Report of the Committee Reviewing the School of Environment (2018/0002857), prepared in consultation by the Pro Vice Chancellor (Sciences) and the Head of the School of Environment.

5.4 The Committee noted that, at its 04/2018 meeting on 21 March 2018, the Executive

Group endorsed the Review Report and the Implementation Plan. Members observed particularly the context of the Implementation Plan, reflected by the Plan’s covering note: At the time of the review the School of Environment had not merged with Science. Post-merger, this action plan will apply in full to the joint School of Environment and Science.

5.5 On behalf of the Pro Vice Chancellor (Sciences), the Head of the post-merger School,

Professor George Mellick (School of Environment and Science), and the Dean (Learning and Teaching) Sciences, Professor Fran Sheldon, provided members with an overview on progress with implementation of the recommendations from the Plan. Points of focus included:

closer alignment between School and research institutes, and greater linkages with teaching activities are being addressed through the co-ordinated post-

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merger School governance and management arrangements, and associated strategic priorities

initiatives are underway to leverage opportunities to enhance course content and program delivery (examples include the effective integration of data science – enabling students to combine their science or environmental science degree with a data science degree; or with related double degrees being introduced in 2019 and 2020; and the restructured Integrated Water Management programs)

effective measures to elevate the proportion of female academic staff in senior positions are progressively being implemented (including for research-intensive workload positions); and

the expanded Environment and Sciences Industry Advisory Board has been constituted.

5.6 Academic Committee commended the initiatives being undertaken by the post-merger

School of Environment and Science. 5.7 In relation to the final point, concerning active Industry Advisory Boards, members

were reminded of the critical role that functioning and effective Boards’ contribute to assuring the University’s on-going compliance with external regulatory requirements.

5.8 The Committee supported the initiative for closer liaison between Groups and the

Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement) to sponsor a sustained consistency in the level of Industry Advisory Board activity.

Resolution 5.9 Academic Committee resolved to recommend the Report of the Committee Reviewing

the School of Environment (2018/0002858) and The Response to the Report of the Committee Reviewing the School of Environment (2018/0002857) to University Council.

SECTION B: ACTION UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY

6.0 INTERNATIONALISATION STRATEGY 2018-2020

6.1 Academic Committee was advised that the Griffith University Internationalisation Strategy supports the University’s Strategic Plan, and is designed to complement the University’s current Academic Plan and Research and Innovation Plan. Through the Internationalisation Strategy, the University aims to enhance its reputation internationally, as a top quality institution for research and teaching by providing a range of experiences and opportunities to staff, students and alumni in the international sphere.

6.2 Members observed that the Internationalisation Strategy outlines the principles and

goals that will guide the University’s broader internationalisation activities and it is organised around four primary goals identified for the duration of the document:

• Partnerships

• Student Experience

• Curriculum

• Research

6.3 The Vice President (Global) provided the Committee with an overview of the Griffith University Internationalisation Strategy 2018-2020 (2018/9006074). Professor Todd advised that while the new publication replaced the previous Strategy (2014-2017), it

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was principally a refresh and update of strategies rather than a full revision, in accordance with the current cycle of key University plans (as noted above). The new Strategy, endorsed by the Executive Group, following recommendation from the Internationalisation Advisory Committee, included a clear focus on the underpinning importance of partnerships to all learning, teaching and research activities.

6.4 Member discussed a number of themes associated with the Strategy, and

considerations of content included:

specific update noted under World university rankings (p. 6) to reflect Griffith’s elevated status to the top 2% of universities worldwide

account of the relationship and alignment between the extent of research activity commented upon in the Strategy and its consistency with the broader coverage found under the Research and Innovation Plan; and

the possibility of appropriately accommodating, within the format of the document, specific mention of disciplines with a highly acknowledged profile, particularly relevant to partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region (the multi-disciplinary field of Tourism was cited as a prime example).

Resolution

6.5 Subject to noted revisions, Academic Committee, on the recommendation of the Internationalisation Advisory Committee, approved the Griffith University Internationalisation Strategy 2018-2020 (2018/9006074) with immediate effect.

[Subsequent to the meeting, the Vice President (Global) advised that, upon closer review it was apparent that discipline-specific references did not sit suitably within the format of the Strategy.]

7.0 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES POLICY

7.1 Academic Committee noted that the proposed revisions included in the Students with Disabilities Policy (2018/9005122) were the outcome of the document review conducted recently by the Griffith Disabilities Service, and endorsed subsequently at the 5/2018 Learning and Teaching Committee meeting (27 August 2018). The relationship between the Students with Disabilities policy and the related documents Griffith Health Code of Professional Practice and the Inability to Complete Required Components of Professional Qualification Policy (refer item 8.0, below) was also noted.

7.2 The Committee was advised that the changes to the Students with Disabilities Policy

reflect a contemporary model of disability which addresses barriers that exclude people with disabilities and provides practical and timely support as appropriate. The primary revisions were to content under section 4.2 Admission and section 11 Access to Work Integrated Learning, Professional Practice Placements and Employment. In particular, removal of the requirement for disclosure during the admission process.

7.3 Members were advised in some circumstances appropriate accommodations cannot

be made to meet the inherent requirements of a professional program; and in such circumstances students’ enrolment in a course or program is terminated in accordance with the Inability to Complete Required Components of Professional Qualification Policy (refer also item 8.0, below). Griffith Disabilities Service has amended the Policy to provide an opportunity to consult the Service in such circumstances.

7.4 The Committee was advised that the majority of fitness to practice concerns relate

specifically to behavioural issues rather than to students with disabilities as a health professional. Members raised concerns relating to the extent of support services available in accordance with application of the Policy provisions. It was agreed that this situation would be investigated.

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7.5 The Committee considered the proposal for the approval of the Students with

Disabilities Policy to be delegated from Academic Committee to Learning and Teaching Committee. Members expressed clear support for Academic Committee to retain oversight and authority to approve the Policy on the grounds that the policy is relevant to all students, including HDR candidates.

Resolutions 7.6 Academic Committee resolved to approve the revised Students with Disabilities Policy

(2018/9005122), effective immediately. 7.7 Academic Committee resolved to retain approving authority for the Students with

Disabilities Policy.

8.0 INABILITY TO COMPLETE REQUIRED COMPONENTS OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION POLICY

8.1 Academic Committee noted that proposed revisions had been included in the Inability

to Complete Required Components of Professional Qualification Policy (2018/9005124) consistent with the recommended changes to the Students with Disabilities Policy (refer item 7.0, above). The Committee observed also the associated revisions to the Griffith University Disclosure Statement, endorsed at the 6/2018 University Assessment Committee meeting (6 August 2018).

8.2 The Committee discussed in particular points raised in relation to the wording under

Section 4 Restricting a student from undertaking or completing a required professional practice component. Members supported the primacy of the Program Director being in the position of decision-maker. It was acknowledged that this capacity was critical in situations where urgent removal of a student from a placement was required, and under such circumstances consultation with the Disabilities Service could potentially compromise safety and wider considerations for duty of care (refer also item 7.0, above).

8.3 Academic Committee supported the suggestion that the proposed amendment to

Section 4 of the Policy be moved from being the first paragraph to the last paragraph under that section.

8.4 Members were informed that the updated version of the Griffith University Disclosure

Statement (2018/9005129) was published in the Policy Library and would accordingly be posted on the Committee’s SharePoint site (under agenda attachments for the meeting).

Resolution 8.5 Subject to the proposed revision (amendment to Section 4 Restricting a student from

undertaking or completing a required professional practice component), Academic Committee resolved to approve the Inability to Complete Required Components of Professional Qualification Policy (2018/9006087).

9.0 ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS POLICY

9.1 Academic Committee noted that the proposed revisions to the Academic Transcript Policy (2018/9005123) included:

reference to the Award of Excellence in the Research Thesis (section 2 & 6)

specification associated with the Inability to Complete Required Components of Professional Qualification Policy (section 3); and

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replacement of references to the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paediatric Nursing with the Bachelor of Nursing/Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing program (section 11).

9.2 The Committee was advised of an additional revision to be included under Section 3 Academic Standing (third paragraph), with the insertion of the following sentence:

In such cases a noting will be placed on the student’s Unofficial Academic Transcript and retained for a period of five years from the date of termination.

Resolution

9.3 Subject to the noted addition (under Section 3 Academic Standing), Academic Committee resolved to approve the revised Academic Transcript Policy (2018/9006088), effective immediately.

10.0 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROVIDER TRANSFER REQUEST POLICY AND PROCEDURES

10.1 The Committee noted that the International Student Provider Transfer Request Policy

and Procedure (2018/9005124) had been updated to include reference to the continuity of welfare provisions for students transferring from Griffith to another registered provider (section 2.4). The proposed addition is consistent with the National Code 2018 (Standard 5.7) The National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018.

Resolution

10.2 Academic Committee resolved to approve the revised International Student Provider

Transfer Request Policy and Procedure (2018/9005124), effective immediately.

11.0 UNDER 18 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES

11.1 The Committee noted that the Under 18 International Student Policy and Procedures (2018/9005130) had undergone a comprehensive revision, with applicable consultation, to ensure content is in accordance with the National Code 2018 (Standard 5).

Resolution

11.2 Academic Committee resolved to approve the revised Under 18 International Student Policy and Procedures (2018/9005130), effective immediately.

12.0 ACADEMIC CENTRES POLICY

12.1 The Committee noted that the Academic Centres Policy (2018/9005131) had been reviewed and updated to include additional related documents and to incorporate other minor revisions.

Resolution

12.2 Academic Committee resolved to approve the revised Academic Centres Policy (2018/9005131), effective immediately.

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13.0 HIGHER DEGREE RESEARCH POLICY

13.1 Academic Committee noted that the Higher Degree Research Policy (2018/9006077) had been revised in accordance with the review process conducted through consideration by the Board of Graduate Research (BGR meetings held in May and July).

13.2 Members observed the sequence of recommended changes summarised in the

minuted record of BGR deliberations. Key amendments were noted to include the following:

incorporating appropriate reference to the Commonwealth Government’s requirements regarding Genuine Temporary Entrants (GTE) and Genuine Students (GS);

referring to Student Administration Policy coverage of the maximum period for completing a program in the case of Masters (Research) and Professional Doctorate programs;

inclusion of a new section addressing the criteria and process for bestowing the award of Academic Excellence following the outcome of a HDR thesis examination; and

clarification regarding limitations on timeframes for which research outputs and experience may be considered towards eligibility for program admission.

13.3 The Committee was advised that the Board of Graduate Research proposed

immediate implementation of the recommended revisions, except for the amendment identified at Section 9.7 (Award of Excellence). BGR requested that this update be effective from 1 January 2019, to apply to candidates conferred their HDR degree on or after 1 January 2019.

Resolutions

13.4 Academic Committee resolved to approve the revised Higher Degree Research Policy (2018/9006077), effective immediately.

13.5 Academic Committee resolved to approve the revision to include section 9.7 (Award of Excellence) of the Higher Degree Research Policy (2018/9006091), effective from 1 January 2019.

14.0 CHANCELLOR’S MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE PHD THESIS

14.1 The Committee noted that the proposed revisions to the Chancellor’s Medal for Excellence in the PhD Thesis (2018/9006078) policy document had been endorsed by the Board of Graduate Research, following consideration at the BGR meetings held in June and July. Members observed that the minuted record of BGR deliberations included a summary of recommended changes. The key amendments noted were:

aligning the eligibility criteria with the Award for Excellence in the Research Thesis;

providing additional guidance regarding the criteria for selection and the applicable programs; and

specifying the Griffith Graduate Research School’s responsibility for administration of the award.

Resolution

14.2 Academic Committee resolved to approve the revised Chancellor’s Medal for Excellence in the PhD Thesis (2018/9006078) policy document, effective immediately.

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15.0 LEARNING AND TEACHING COMMITTEE CONSTITUTION

15.1 The Committee noted that the Learning and Teaching Committee Constitution (2018/9006075) had been updated to include reference to the newly established sub-committee: Student Communication (Current Students) Steering Committee.

Resolution 15.2 Academic Committee resolved to approve the revised Learning and Teaching

Committee Constitution (2018/9006075), effective immediately.

16.0 PROGRAMS COMMITTEE CONSTITUTION

16.1 The Committee noted that the Programs Committee Constitution (2018/9007026) had been amended to incorporate the additional section Rights Of Audience and Debate.

Resolution 16.2 Academic Committee resolved to approve the revised Programs Committee

Constitution (2018/9007026), effective immediately.

SECTION C: RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS TO OTHER COMMITTEES

17.0 ACADEMIC FRAUD RISK REGISTER – 2018 REVIEW 17.1 Academic Committee was provided with the updated Academic Fraud Risk Register

(2018/9006082) for consideration prior to its presentation at the next Finance, Resources and Risk Committee meeting.

Resolution 17.2 Academic Committee resolved to recommend the Academic Fraud Risk Register

(2018/9006082) to the University’s Finance, Resources and Risk Committee.

SECTION D: MATTERS NOTED, CONSIDERED OR REMAINING UNDER DISCUSSION

18.0 PRESENTATION – THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES, LANGUAGES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

18.1 Professor James Carson, Head, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science, gave a presentation on the origins of the School’s disciplines, how the School is placed presently, and provided an outline of the vision for research and education into the future.

18.2 Professor Carson began with an overview of the disciplinary origins of Humanities;

Languages and Linguistics; Social Science; Communications and Journalism. Academic Committee was informed that the context for studies undertaken within the School embrace the ways in which the complexity of human experience may be perceived, understood and expressed.

18.3 The Head of School’s snapshot of principal figures for the School advised that

currently the level of student load was 2,500 EFTSL; and the staff profile comprised: 57 EFT academic staff, 37 EFT sessional staff and 13 EFT professional staff.

18.4 Principal challenges confronting the School were noted to be:

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globally shrinking enrolments in “liberal arts” disciplines, with a 5% decline in School enrolments annually (compensated by improvements in student retention)

finding ways to broaden success in securing research funding, where the process is aligned more towards a Science-based model; and

addressing the recognised issue of the programs offered by the School covering the disciplines that prompt parents to question the possible employment outcomes.

18.5 Academic Committee was advised that the School is repositioning its degrees as

qualifications that service the knowledge economy and that each program emphasises acquisition of the following skills:

1. Critical thinking

2. Creative thinking

3. Information synthesis

4. Knowledge creation

5. Knowledge communication; and

6. preparation for postgraduate studies.

18.6 In conclusion, Professor Carson highlighted that the School’s activities are all sustained by a positive, high-trust, collaborative and collegial workplace culture.

18.7 Academic Committee noted the presentation on the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science.

19.0 VICE CHANCELLOR’S REPORT

19.1 The Vice Chancellor’s report to the August meetings of University Council was noted. 19.2 The Vice Chancellor provided the Committee with an update covering the following

principal points.

19.2.1 The Chancellor’s announcement regarding the appointment of Professor Carolyn Evans as Griffith University’s new Vice Chancellor and President from 4 February 2019.

19.2.2 Griffith’s level of recent success in securing Australian Research Council (SRC) grants under the 2018 ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program scheme and the 2018 ARC Future Fellowships scheme. Project funding includes:

the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Driving Farming Productivity and Disease Prevention ($5,000,000)

Fine-tuning the Quantum: Foundations and Applications of Quantum Causality ($878,125 - Centre for Quantum Dynamics)

The internet of the future: towards an intercontinental quantum network ($878,125 - Centre for Quantum Dynamics)

Engaging Muslims in the fight against terrorism ($970,917 - Griffith Criminology Institute)

New bioarchaeological perspectives on pre-contact lifeways in Sahul ($936,468 - Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution and the Environmental Futures Research Institute)

19.2.3 The results achieved by the University for the Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2018 – in particular, the noted outcomes of 10 subjects in the top 100 (compared to 8 last year) and the following 3 subjects for Griffith ranked in the top 50:

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Hospitality and Tourism Management ranked 2nd (same as last year)

Nursing ranked 11th (up from 14th); and

Law ranked 33rd (up from 38th).

20.0 CHAIR’S REPORT 20.1 The Committee was informed by the Chair on the following matters:

20.1.1 Safe Campuses – the remarkable success of the University’s “It’s On All of

Us” themed week (20-24 August) on sexual violence prevention and awareness was noted. This included the following activities designed to reinforce a shared responsibility to recognise, respond to, and ultimately prevent sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of personal violence and disrespectful behaviour.

Ninety Percent - a powerful theatre piece performed by Griffith’s first year Acting students from the Queensland Conservatorium, drawing upon thought-provoking material from critically acclaimed contemporary Australian plays.

Why do we need to talk about this? - panel discussion (comprising Vanessa Fowler [Allison Baden-Clay Foundation], Nina Viljamaa [Probation and Parole Service District Manager] Patrick O'Leary [Professor of Social Work] and Shaan Ross-Smith [MATE Bystander Program Director]).

MATE Bystander training and Be Mindful. Be Safe self-defence workshop.

20.1.2 Digital First Strategy implementation – Virtual Learning Environment (VLE),

BlackBoard Ultra rollout and migration to the new SaaS learning platform (first stage scheduled for 9 November). Members were advised that date selection followed stringent analysis to determine the point of lowest activity (recognising there to be no ‘good’ time).

The Committee was requested to ensure that no assessment activity was scheduled for the period: 9 - 12 November (Friday evening to Monday night, inclusive).

A ‘mirror’ site (read-only) would be in place from Sunday 11 November, and the new ‘live’ site will be in place by Tuesday 13 November (possibly earlier).

Academic Committee was informed that a dedicated website would be online shortly, providing a single-point of reference, comprehensive schedule and further information.

20.1.3 Academic Committee Review (2017) – the Implementation Progress Report

and all the recommendations endorsed at the 2/2018 Academic Committee meeting were approved by University Council at its 6 August meeting.

20.1.4 Student and Academic Administration Review – the outcomes from the review

represent a major transformation in roles, relationships and focus in effectively supporting delivery of the University’s programs. The current suite of induction and professional development workshops is integral to the success of the initiative.

The positive outcomes from recent workshops conducted with Program Support Officers and Academic Support Officers (PSO & ASO) are indicative of the committed staff comprising the new teams now in place.

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21.0 BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

Nil.

22.0 GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY DIGITAL STRATEGY – MICRO-CREDENTIALS 22.1 Academic Committee was advised that, on 1 August 2018 the New Zealand

Qualifications Authority (NZQA) formally introduced micro-credentials as part of their regulated education and training system. The Committee noted the briefing summary Recognition of micro-credentials in New Zealand (2018/9007025), developed to inform Programs Committee of these recent changes in the external regulatory environment.

23.0 REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE AND OTHER COMMITTEES 23.1 The minutes submitted from the following committees were noted.

a) Board of Graduate Research (5/2018)

b) Learning and Teaching Committee (4/2018 & 5/2018)

c) Programs Committee (5/2018)

d) Research Committee (5/2018 & 6/2018)

24.0 OTHER BUSINESS Nil.

25.0 2019 MEETING DATES – ACADEMIC COMMITTEE AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES 25.1 Academic Committee noted the schedule of 2019 Meeting Dates –

Academic Committee and its sub-committees (2018/9006083).

26.0 2018 COMMITTEE MEETING DATES 26.1 Academic Committee noted the remaining meeting dates for 2018.

*will go ahead if business warrants

27.0 2019 COMMITTEE MEETING DATES 27.1 Academic Committee noted the meetings dates for 2019.

Meeting Date Campus Confirmed Venue

15 November Nathan N54_2.02

13 December * Gold Coast G34_2.02

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* Confirmation of campus sequence pending decision on whether to proceed with meeting scheduled for 13 December 2018

** Meeting will only proceed if business warrants

28.0 CLOSE OF MEETING 28.1 The Chair declared the meeting closed at 11:25pm.

Meeting Date Campus* Venue

14 March Nathan N54_2.02

16 May Gold Coast G34_2.02

18 July Nathan N54_2.02

19 September Gold Coast G34_2.02

14 November Nathan N54_2.02

12 December ** Gold Coast G34_2.02