5 December 2007

The Board of Trustees met on Wednesday 5 December 2007, in the Boardroom, Building AD, Werrington North. A summary of matters discussed is provided below.

Confirmation of Minutes
The minutes (PDF, 44Kb) of the October meeting of the Board of Trustees were confirmed and   can be downloaded from this page.

Main Items Considered by the Board   

Board Elections

The Chancellor welcomed Ms Saba Ambreen, recently elected undergraduate student member to her first Board of Trustees meeting, and Ms Jan Brown, recently elected general staff member, whose term begins on 1 January 2008.

The Chancellor thanked Ms Tanya Rubin, outgoing general staff member, for her considered contributions to Board discussions during her two year term.

Ms Genevieve Kelly was congratulated on being re-elected to the academic staff member position for a further two year term.

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UWSCollege Full Fee Paying Students

The Board approved the enrolment of fee-paying domestic students in programs taught under license in UWSCollege. This approval will enable current programs to continue and satisfies a technical requirement by DEST to formalise the arrangement of principal and agent.

The Year in Review: Vice-Chancellor’s End of Year Report

The Vice-Chancellor provided an overview of the University’s progress during 2007, which included:

 
• A more stable structure accompanied by a well communicated prospect of no major structural change in the next five years (subject to any major adverse government policy initiatives which would force the University’s hand). 
• A well known and embedded integrated strategy for action – Making the Difference - which underpins the core activities of the Colleges and Divisions. 
• A clearer position on the campus network including the decision to cease teaching at Blacktown campus. 
• An outstanding AUQA report which has been a catalyst for growing institutional confidence and community, sector and government recognition of the improving position and reputation of UWS. 
• A continuation of the strong financial position even allowing for additional investment expenditure in core areas. 
• Success in obtaining Commonwealth funding grants totalling almost $20m. 
• The appointment of new Heads of School in 13 schools, two new Executive Deans, two new Deputy Vice-Chancellors, three new Pro-Vice-Chancellors and several leading professors. A significant message arising from these recruitment processes has been the University’s growing reputation and capacity to attract highly experienced, well known and highly regarded new senior staff. 
• Meeting the University’s student load targets in the face of decreasing demand across the sector, as a result of which several universities have been forced to return student places to the DEST pool of available places. 
• Significant success (118% increase) in the ARC research funding round for 2007/8. 
• Continuing and growing improvements in demand, retention and student satisfaction. 
• The first intake of students into the Medical School supported by the appointment of several outstanding senior academics, the establishment of the Campbelltown Clinical School and securing support for and funding towards the establishment of the Blacktown/Mt Druitt Clinical School. 
• The development of a strategic plan and related actions to build and maintain the University’s relationship with the schools sector in Greater Western Sydney. 
• Improved positioning of UWS externally including an increase in media mentions from 700 to 900 per month and an array of awards and external recognition of UWS staff.

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Professor Neville Yeomans, Foundation Dean of Medicine

Professor Yeomans reviewed the Medical School’s progress during 2007 and its plans for 2008 and beyond. The main achievements in 2007 included: 

• an excellent first cohort of students 
• good feedback on initial experiences in teaching/learning 
• 5 Indigenous students in first cohort 
• high quality staff have been recruited 
• enthusiastic community input 
• the clinical schools at Macarthur and Blacktown/Mt Druitt are on track.

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The New Rudd Government – Positioning UWS in the New Higher Education   Landscape

The Board noted the University’s Government Relations plans following the recent election of the Rudd Government.

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Report from Strategy and Resources Committee

The 2008 Budget was presented by the Chief Financial Officer and the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee. Following detailed discussion, the Board approved the UWS 2008 Budget but sought further advice on aspects of the capital plan and funding related to the capital program.

The Board approved the establishment of an endowment fund under the aegis of the UWS Foundation to support endowment-funded undergraduate scholarships, postgraduate research fellowships and professorial chairs.

The Board also approved the revised budget for Stages 1 and 2 of the Medical School capital program.

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Campus Development Committee – Membership

The Board approved the appointment of Ms Janet Sayer to the Campus Development Committee for a period of two years from 5 December 2007.

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Campus Development Governance Structure

The Board endorsed a modified governance structure for the campus development portfolio, noting that the Capital Works and Facilities Unit would come under the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Campus Development).

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Other Reports and Items Considered by the Board

 
• TVS Progress Report 
• Visual Arts Education 
• UWSSA Status Report 
• Teaching and Learning – ‘Bringing Knowledge to Life’ 
• Audit and Risk Management Committee 
• Report from Chair of Academic Senate 
• Board Standing Committee and Remunerations and Nominations Committee 
• Campus Development Committee 
• Occupational Health and Safety 
• Staffing Matters 
• Research Developments 
• International Activities 
• University Engagement 
• Development – Major Programs and Strategies 
• Building Better Relationships with Schools

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Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Board will be held on Wednesday 27 February 2008.

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