21 November 2012

The Board of Trustees met on Wednesday 21 November 2012 in the Boardroom, Building AD, Werrington North campus. A summary of matters discussed in the open session of the Board meeting is provided below.

Confirmation of Minutes

The minutes of the 5 September 2012 (opens in a new window) (PDF, 271Kb) meeting of the Board of Trustees were confirmed and can be downloaded from this page.

Main Items Considered by the Board

Vice-Chancellor’s 2012 End of Year Report

The Vice-Chancellor's 2012 End of Year Report (PDF, 1.9MB) (staff login required) is available to the UWS community online.

Report on the Effectiveness of the Student Representation and Participation Model

The Board noted the feedback and passed the following resolutions on the effectiveness of the Student Representation and Participation model:

  1. The Board acknowledged and commended the overall success and effectiveness of the new Student Representation and Participation model.
  2. The Board reaffirmed the overarching principle that the Student Representation and Participation model should have a strong campus focus. Further, that the University affirms this principle through its interactions with student representatives and ensure that Student Campus Councils are included wherever possible. 
  3. The Board supported in principle the proposal for two (2) year terms for SCC members, with coordinated elections of other UWS student governance positions wherever possible, and commissions the Student Representation & Participation Model Effectiveness Review Group to investigate the feasibility of implementing this change, including the timing of elections, with a report back to the Board in early 2013.
  4. The Board noted the difficulties encountered in attracting students to the International, Residential and Postgraduate positions on the SCCs, while recognising that further strategies can be followed to promote them. The Board will monitor the progress of these positions and will review this position in another twelve months.
  5. The Board supported the existing principle of Clubs and Societies representatives to the SCCs being elected by and from campus Clubs and Societies members. However, to ensure transparency and consistency of electoral process, these positions be elected using the same process as other SCC positions rather than through the existing arrangement of election through the Campus Clubs and Societies Forums. 
  6. The Board endorsed the importance of ensuring good communication and productive relationships between Campus Life Committees and Student Campus Committees in ensuring the success of campus life. Further, that the Student Representation & Participation Model Effectiveness Review Group consult with the relevant stakeholders regarding the establishment of a processes to enhance communication and planning around campus activities and events.

Paper from Academic Staff Member

The Board welcomed attendance by members of the University community, both staff and students, who were in attendance for this and other agenda items discussed in the open session of the meeting relating to planning, the budget, course and unit rationalisation, staffing data and MyVoice results.

The Academic Staff Member of the Board of Trustees spoke to his paper “Shouldering the Burden: Why too much is being asked of the Schools”. The Board’s discussion centred on the environment for change that UWS (and other Australian universities) are facing, the challenging financial situation that lies ahead and the pressures that places on academic staff. More specifically, consideration was given to the relative allocation of income to Schools in 2003 compared with 2012. The Chief Financial Officer provided the Board with an analysis that showed that there had not in fact been a noticeable decline in the proportion of the allocation being provided to Schools. David Lodge, Vice-President of the SRC, who was in attendance, was invited to the Board table to give the perspective of students. He was thanked for an excellent presentation.

After further discussion, and in light of the its 2012 Strategy Day resolutions (to enable the University to be flexible and competitive, financially sustainable and responsive in a rapidly changing and competitive higher education environment), the majority of the Board did not support the recommendation put by the Academic Staff member namely, “to place a moratorium on cuts to courses, majors and redundancies and to frame a budget that ensures that no School receives less than 42% of the income they generate (government and self-generated) in 2013”. There was nevertheless general agreement that Schools should receive around 42% of income and noted that was presently the case. It was further agreed that the matters raised would continue to be considered during the course of 2013.

2013-2015 Budget

The Board approved the 2013-2015 Budget, recognising that 2014 and 2015 will be approved in subsequent years as part of the rolling budget process.

UWS Delegations 2013

The Board approved proposed changes to the Delegations.

Report from the Chair of Academic Senate

The Board passed the following resolutions:

  1. The Board of Trustees approved the revised Academic Governance Policy, providing for changes to delegations, membership, limitations on terms of office, election procedures and administrative amendments.
  2. The Board of Trustees approved the alignment between the terms of office of the elected members of Senate and the Chair and Deputy Chair so that they serve concurrent two year terms and that this be brought into effect for 2014-15. 
  3. As a transitional measure, the Board of Trustees extended the current terms of the Chair and Deputy Chair so as to expire on 31 December 2013, as opposed to the current end date of 31 May 2013.

Strategy and Planning Committee of the Board of Trustees

The Board resolved to formally abolish this committee, as strategic planning issues are well covered by the Board’s annual strategy day and the roles of the other Board Committees.

Electronic Papers

The Board resolved to formally adopt electronic papers for meetings of the Board and its Committees from 1 January 2013.

Membership of the Board of Trustees

The Board resolved to reappoint Ms Gillian Shadwick as a member of the Board, and as Pro Chancellor, for a further four year term of office in each from 1 May 2013 until 30 April 2017. The Board also considered a new appointment.

Honorary Award Nominations

The Board passed resolutions relating to Emeritus Professorships of the University.

Uwsconnect Student Director Appointments

The Board noted the approval of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee to the appointment by the University of Mr Brent Jones and Mr Harpreet Singh as directors of uwsconnect for 2 year terms.

Whitlam Institute Board Re-appointment

The Board noted the approval of the RNC to the re-appointment by the University of Dr Kerry Schott for a further term of office as a director of the Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney and, as a consequence, as a Trustee of the Whitlam Institute Trust Fund.

Chancellor's Report

The report from Professor Peter Shergold listed his recent functions undertaken as the Chancellor of UWS. These included:

Chair:

  • UWS Board of Trustees
  • UWS Board Standing and Remuneration and Nominations Committee (Parramatta)

Officiated:

  • UWS Graduation Ceremonies

Speaking Engagements:

  • National Library of Australia “Focus on Leadership” (Canberra)
  • Institute of Public Administration Australia, International Congress “Big Thinkers: New Ways of Working” (Melbourne)
  • Social Finance Forum on “New Forms of Social Investment” (Sydney)
  • Per Capita Roundtable Luncheon Series on “Reforming Public Service” (Melbourne)
  • Keynote speaker, Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency and Industry Skills Council dinner on “The Future of Work” (Sydney)
  • Keynote speaker, Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) Forum on “Governments and Community Sector” (Melbourne)
  • Keynote speaker, Launch of “Social Procurement in NSW: A Guide to Achieving Social Value through Public Sector Procurement” (Parramatta)
  • 2012 Australian Government Leadership Network Conference on “The New Role of the Public Servant (Perth)
  • Opening address at UWS/Whitlam Institute 2012 Economy Symposium, Expanding the Economy: Perspectives on Growth, Well-Being and Prosperity (Sydney)
  • Welcome at the UWS Law Alumni function (Sydney)
  • Keynote speaker, Hawkes Oration on “The Future Role of the Public Service in the Light of 21st Century Governance Challenges” (Darwin)

 Participant:

  • As a founding partner of the Parramatta Partnership Forum (Parramatta)
  • Two sessions at the 2012 National Conference on University Governance (Sydney)(attendee and facilitator)
  • Community Awareness Policing Program (CAPP 7) (Hawkesbury)

 Attendee at:

  • Australia-India Literatures International Forum launch at the NSW State Library hosted by the UWS Writing and Society Research Centre (Sydney)
  • AFC Asian Football Club 2012 Event at The Rocks (Sydney)
  • Annual dinner of the Business Council of Australia with Guest of Honour, Prime Minister Julia Gillard (Sydney)
  • Review of UWS Community and Regional Engagement, dinner with panel (Sydney)
  • Dinner with UWS Professoriate (Homebush)
  • Lunch in honour of Board of Trustees member, Ian Stone of Advance Metal Products

Some of the Chancellor’s speeches are available on his website.

Vice-Chancellor's Report

The Vice-Chancellor's regular report to the Board of Trustees included the following items:

  • UWS recently hosted a visit by Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of Australia, to the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education
  • On 1 and 2 October 2012 the Vice-Chancellor attended a roundtable of United Kingdom and Australian Vice-Chancellors and international education professionals at Melbourne University as a participant and as a member of the panel in the concluding session on future steps in UK-Australian cooperation
  • Universities Australia has released its blueprint for Australia Higher Education A Smarter Australia
  • NSW Vice-Chancellor’s Committee chaired by the Vice - Chancellor has successfully lobbied the NSW Government to introduce public transport concessions for International Students in NSW and also provided a response to the NSW Government’s Great Teaching, Inspired Learning Discussion Paper
  • The report on the recent Review of UWS Community and Regional Engagement at UWS will be released shortly
  • At the 2012 Spring Graduation Ceremonies from 25 to 27 September 2012, 2,448 graduands received degrees from UWS in a wide range of disciplines
  • UWS has achieved a 60% increase in the value of its Australian Research Council (ARC) grants; we are now 11th among 40 universities, with 20 grants
  • UWS success in the National Learning and Teaching Awards and Grants Scheme
  • Ayen Atem Choi is the recipient of the Joan Reid Scholarship for Refugee Women in 2012 endowed in perpetuity in honour of the Vice-Chancellor’s mother. Ayen is from South Sudan and her dream is to become a medical scientist.
  • UWS has been awarded four stars (out of a possible five), up from three stars in 2011, in the Graduate Management Association of Australia Inc. Index of the Attractiveness of Australian MBA Programs
  • UWS has won two NSW Master Builders’ Association Excellence in Construction Awards
  • UWS PhD student, Tim Harris, recently won the 2012 Trans-Tasman Three Minute Thesis competition with a presentation detailing his research into the human brain’s ability to predict the future
  • Susan Hudson, Director of HR Strategy and Services, was recently awarded the UniJobs Award for Excellence in Human Resource Management
  • UWS IT Student Daniel Grech won first prize at the 2012 ‘Unleash Your App’ competition run by Optus and National ICT Australia
  • At UWS Day on 7 November 2012, UWS Penrith Campus hosted over 1000 students from Greater Western Sydney high schools
  • Tony Bennett, Research Professor in Social and Cultural Theory and Research Director in the Institute for Culture and Society, has been elected to the position of Academician in the Academy of Social Sciences in the UK
  • On 5 November 2012 more than 100 year 7 and 8 students from Greater Western Sydney high schools participated in an academic enrichment day at UWS that focussed on Maths and IT
  • UWS featured three times on the shortlist for the 2012 Premier’s Literary and History Awards.

Other Reports and Items Considered by the Board

  • Our Future Action Program – Progress Report
  • UWS/TAFE Relationships – Progress Report
  • Course and Unit Rationalisation and Related Change Proposals – Progress Report
  • 2012 Review of UWS Community and Regional Engagement – Initial Outcomes
  • Changes to Executive Responsibilities for 2013
  • Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) Statement – Cuts to Higher Education and Impact on UWS
  • Additional Staffing Data and Additional Report on MyVoice Results
  • 8 November 2012 meeting of Finance and Investment Committee
  • Television Sydney – Performance and Outcomes
  • 16 October 2012 meeting of Audit and Risk Management Committee
  • 9 October 2012 meeting of Board Standing Committee and Remunerations and Nominations Committee
  • 26 October 2012 meeting of the Campus Development Committee
  • Staffing Matters

Next Meeting

The Board’s next meeting will be held at 9.00am on Wednesday 27 February 2013 in the Boardroom, Building AD, Werrington North.

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