ACADEMIC SENATE COMMITTEE 4 MAY 2016

MINUTES Minutes of the 328th meeting of the Academic Senate held at 9:30am on Wednesday, 4 May 2016 in lecture theatre 20.5 in the Communications Building.

PRESENT: Prof Wilma Vialle (Chair) Prof Greg Rose (Deputy Chair) Dr Tillmann Böhme Prof Ian Brown A/Prof Brogan Bunt A/Prof Peter Caputi Prof Paul Chandler A/Prof Karen Charlton A/Prof Honglin Chen A/Prof Jun Chen Prof Joe Chicharo Ms Kate Cillekens A/Prof Robbie Collins Prof Chris Cook A/Prof Chao Deng A/Prof Anthony Dosseto Mr Thomas Griffiths

Ms Megan Huisman Prof Zenobia Jacobs Ms Margie Jantti Prof Karl Kautz Dr Julie Kiggins A/Prof Romy Lawson Prof Tim Marchant A/Prof Grace McCarthy Prof Tim McCarthy Mr Cameron McLeod Prof Sarah Miller Dr Marcus O’Donnell Dr Germanas Peleckis Dr Ian Piper Dr Prashan Premaratne Prof Will Price Prof Judy Raper

Ms Julie Renwick Dr Ann Rogerson Dr Montse Ros A/Prof Jun Shen Dr Lynnaire Sheridan Dr Ciorstan Smark A/Prof Nadia Solowij Dr Marcelo Svirsky Prof Susan Turnbull Dr Lisa Thomas Mr Shaun van Leeuwen Dr Reetu Verma A/Prof Rodney Vickers Dr Ruth Walker Prof Paul Wellings Prof Graham Williams DON’T TOUCH LAST NAME

UNABLE TO ATTEND: Dr Shahriar Akter Prof Jenny Beck A/Prof Angela Brown Ms Kailee Cross Prof Louise D’Arcens Prof Marc in het Panhuis

Dr Tracey Kuit Prof Roger Lewis Prof Vera Mackie Mr Paul Mazzola A/Prof Gary Noble A/Prof Stephen Ralph

Prof Simon Ville DON’T TOUCH LAST NAME

IN ATTENDANCE: Dr Simon Bedford, Senior Lecturer, Learning, Teaching & Curriculum Mr Jim Davies, Academic Quality & Policy Specialist, Academic Quality and Standards Unit (AQS) Ms Lorraine Denny, Manager, Professional & Organisational Development Services, Human Resources Division Ms Tori Funnell, Senior Manager, Governance Unit, Ms Cath Haney, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Dr Nancy Huggett, Director, Governance and Legal Division Mrs Emily Osborne, Director, Strategic Marketing and Communications Unit Mr Dominic Riordan, Director, AQS Ms Amelia Robinson, Executive Officer to Academic Senate, Governance Unit Ms Jan Sullivan, Manager, Academic Quality & Policy, AQS Mr Sam Tedeschi, President, Wollongong Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) Mrs Viji Venkat, Course Management Coordinator, AQS Ms Abbie Watson, Academic Quality and Policy Specialist, AQS

PART A – PRELIMINARY BUSINESS The Chair welcomed members to the 328th meeting of Academic Senate.

*A1 Apologies

Dr Amir Arjomandi, Prof Noel Castree, Ms Melva Crouch, A/Prof Phillip Ciufo, Dr Robyn Coman, Dr Debra Dudek, Dr Julie Francis, Prof Alex Frino, Dr Luis Gomez Romero, A/Prof Markus Hagenbuchner, Prof Alison Jones, Dr Natascha Klocker, Prof Amanda Lawson, A/Prof Pauline Lysaght, Prof Elena Marchetti, Prof Katina Michael, A/Prof Dominique Parrish, Prof Glenn Salkeld, Prof Nan Seuffert, Ms Katherine Teague, Dr Sharon Tindall-Ford, A/Prof James Wallman, Prof Ian Wilson, A/Prof Khin Win, Prof Heather Yeatman and A/Prof Ping Yu.

Leave of Absence:

Dr Sarah Sorial to 17 August 2016. *A2 Arrangement of Agenda

A.2.1 Confidential Items

There were no confidential items of business.

A.2.2 Starring of Items

The following items were starred for discussion: A1 – A10 Preliminary Business B1 Code of Practice: Teaching and Assessment (COPTA) Review – Teaching and

Assessment Policy Suite & Presentation B5 Presentation on the UOW Brand Refresh C1 Business from Academic Senate Committees C2 Revised University Research Committee Terms of Reference E2 Other Business

A motion was passed to adopt the draft resolutions for the unstarred items.

*A3 Business Arising from the Minutes

The Chair advised members that the Collaborative Delivery of a UOW Course Policy and associated Procedures, which were considered by Academic Senate at the 17 February 2016 meeting, were approved by University Council on 22 April 2016. A member asked what further action would be taken regarding the revised Research Data Management Policy, which was considered at the 17 February 2016 meeting of Academic Senate. The Chair advised that she had met with the Graduate Research School and Ms Fiona Rankin, Director, Information Management & Technology Services (IMTS) to discuss the concerns raised by Academic Senate members. The Chair confirmed that the Research Data Management Policy will return to Academic Senate at a later date and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) affirmed that a new set of Guidelines would also be provided to assist in Policy implementation.

*A4 Confirmation of Minutes

Resolved (2016/12): that the minutes of the previous meeting of Academic Senate held on 17 February 2016 be confirmed and signed as a true record.

*A5 Reports from Senior Executive, Business from Faculties and UOW College

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) (DVCRI)

The DVCRI reported as follows: • The Research Active discipline-specific definitions are currently under review, with a view to

being more aspirational and move towards UOW being in the top 1% of universities. Faculty staff are encouraged to be involved in the discussion around the review. It is anticipated that Associate Deans will report back to the University Research Committee (URC) by mid-2016 with draft revised definitions for consideration, for implementation in 2017. The revised definitions will be presented to Academic Senate in due course.

• Discussion about a new degree, the Masters of Research, is taking place. The degree will likely serve as a non-compulsory substitute for Honours and will be presented to the next meeting of Academic Senate for consideration, after passing through the usual course management processes. Whilst the move is taking place sector wide, the change at UOW will initially be voluntary and is intended to complement the existing offering.

• The midpoint of the Higher Degree Research (HDR) Lifecycle review has been reached. Whilst the report is still to be finalised (anticipated by end of May 2016), there are likely to be a number of recommendations for improvement arising. At present, preliminary conclusions indicate processes and practices associated with HDR recruitment, performance and assessment at UOW are in line with the sector and in some ways, more stringent.

• The launch of UOW Scholars will take place on Thursday, 5 May 2016 at the 2016 Research and Innovation Forum in the University Hall Foyer. This is the University's new platform for academic profiles and provides an outward-focussed, proactive and comprehensive view of the research and expertise of UOW's academic staff. The guest speaker is Dr Thomas Barlow and all Academic Senate members are welcome to attend.

A member asked for detail on the Masters of Research proposal, particularly given comments that it will replace the Honours program. The DVCRI confirmed that students will still be able to complete Honours and that the Masters of Research is another pathway to a PhD. Professor Tim Marchant, Dean of Research (DoR) affirmed that the proposed program does not affect the professional Honours program and the approach is consistent with that taken in Europe and the USA. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (DVCA) The DVCA reported as follows: • The University’s re-registration as a higher education provider with Tertiary Education Quality

and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is pending and work is well underway to meet TEQSA’s requirements by September 2017. This significant volume of work will affect all academic staff and a preliminary Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) has been established. TEQSA will pick courses at random to review and confirm whether they are up to standard and will also seek evidence of implementation of various policies and processes. The DVCA recently attended a TEQSA debrief with Ms Jan Sullivan, Manager, Academic Quality & Policy, Academic Quality & Standards Unit and preliminary advice appears to indicate that TEQSA will assess UOW against a number of key standards, rather than the full spectrum of standards. Staff support and involvement in this process is appreciated.

• The establishment of the University’s South Western Sydney (SWS) campus in Liverpool has recently been publicly announced. Members would appreciate that due to the commercial-in-confidence nature of the initiative, there has been limited discussion with the wider University community up to this point. High-level discussions with the faculties have taken place and program offerings for 2017 are starting to line up.

• The program offerings will be guided by demand and it is likely that there will be four to five academic programs and some pathway programs to start with. Initially, it is not anticipated that there will be any international students studying at the campus. The Strategic Course Development Committee (SCDC) will, as per the usual processes, review the programs and these will progress to Academic Senate for approval. The NSW Minister for Education has given preliminary endorsement to offer courses at the SWS campus and growth in this region is critical to the ongoing success of UOW.

• The announcement of the selection of a partner for online learning is likely to take place in the next month. Offerings via the online partner have been deferred as a result, but offerings over the next three to four years are on target.

• The selection of a platform for a Curriculum Management System will require further time.

Whilst a tender process has taken place, the University is seeking a more sophisticated product with additional functionality.

• The contribution of Associate Professor Romy Lawson, Director, Learning, Teaching and Curriculum and Academic Senate member, who is about to leave UOW, is acknowledged and her efforts during her time at UOW are greatly appreciated.

The Chair acknowledged the importance of the SWS academic program offerings being assessed and approved through the normal channels. The DVCA affirmed that academic programs will be approved by Academic Senate, as a part of the usual course approval processes.

Reports from the Executive Deans Professor Chris Cook, Executive Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS) reported as follows: • An entrepreneurial EIS student has set up ‘Project Everest’, an initiative that allows students to

take part in overseas volunteering in developing countries as a part of their studies. Ten students went to Uganda over the December 2015 holiday break for an industry placement, encouraged by the Faculty, and found the experience very rewarding. Credit points will be given for 20 students who are travelling to Rwanda in July 2016 to work on a water supply project and play area project for a pre-school. Whilst the program is difficult to scale for the entire student cohort, the results have been fantastic and students have been seeking sponsorship to participate and for materials to deliver the projects.

• UOW recently hosted for the second time an international symposium on ‘green’ mining. Emphasis at the symposium is on how to better incorporate sustainability, particularly environmental sustainability, in mining. The symposium covers rejuvenation, better use of waste products and corporate social responsibility. There has been significant industry interest and buy-in in the symposium and its outcomes.

• UOW will host an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Mathematics Alliance conference in October at the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy, in coordination with the Dharawal and Yuin peoples, as part of the University’s emphasis on providing pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with pathways into mathematics and teaching mathematics.

• An international civil engineer research centre on fibre-reinforced polymers at UOW is being set up by Dr Tao Yu, a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) recipient and Senior Lecturer in School of Civil Mining and Environmental Engineering. The research centre has a focus on extending the life of structures and Wollongong will host a summer school in July. Representatives from leading international universities in the field have agreed to serve on the advisory board to the centre, including representatives from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Queen's University Belfast, Tsinghua University and the University of Queensland, formalised by Memorandums of Understanding. It is anticipated that the research centre will place UOW at the forefront of collaborative research in this field and integrate UOW in the global supply chain for fibre-reinforced polymers.

Associate Professor Grace McCarthy, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business reported as follows: • The Faculty recently had its student awards night, supported by a number of corporate and

memorial prize sponsors, to celebrate outstanding students. The function provided an opportunity to engage with sponsors and was an enjoyable night.

• Faculty resources are stretched and the impact of new policies and procedures are placing additional demands on staff. She requested that the University consider resource implications when new policies are put forward to Academic Senate.

• The review of the Master of Science (Logistics and Project Management) is being finalised. The review differed to the previous approach, in that external academic and industry representatives were included from at the start of the process (rather than at the end as in the previous process) and also included representation from UOW Dubai (UOWD). These changes have strengthened the recommendations now being developed to improve the program.

• Faculty colleagues at UOWD are to be congratulated after seeing their first doctoral student graduate and more are anticipated in the latter half of the year.

Professor Sarah Miller, Acting Executive Dean of Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts reported as follows: • Following the autumn census date, the Faculty target for enrolment numbers was met and in

some cases, exceeded. Student load is tracking well. • Professor Graham Williams is thanked for his efforts in relation to the Bachelor of Arts (BA)

review and the Curriculum Transformation Project. There are three remaining majors in the BA that require further development of the capstones, however, the BA is the first degree in the Faculty to have curriculum transformation processes embedded.

• Two major course reviews are progressing; with working parties and course review panel meetings being held. The Bachelor of Laws was last comprehensively reviewed 15 years ago so the review provides a good opportunity to ensure that the degree is well positioned and appropriate for future students.

• Dr Debra Dudek, Associate Dean (International) recently met with key UOWD staff to clarify communication protocols between UOWD and the Faculty.

• The Faculty recently attended a UOW/China agent workshop in Chengdu; delivering a presentation on course offerings with a view to building relationships with agents.

• In relation to research, six Discovery Project grant applications, five DECRA applications and two Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship applications have been submitted from the Faculty.

• The Faculty is investigating ways to support global humanitarian issues and as part of this, recently awarding two PhD scholarships to scholars at risk.

• A First Nations Cultural Leadership program is being worked on with the British Council, to be launched in July, and is anticipated to be the first in the world of its kind.

• The Western Building project (in the site of the Western Car Park) is progressing well.

Ms Julie Renwick, General Manager, UOW College (UOWC) advised members that the UOWC’s registration with TEQSA expired in February 2016. The application for re-registration was submitted in 2015. TEQSA representatives visited in March 2016 and interviewed a number of key staff from UOW and UOWC, focussing on governance, quality assurance and evidence of board effectiveness. Whilst UOWC have been advised that two diplomas have been re-registered for seven years, formal advice has not yet been received on re-registration as a higher education provider.

*A6 Chair’s Report

The Chair advised members that, following the recent Universities Australia conference and meeting of the Chairs of Academic Boards and Senates (CABS), she had been elected Deputy Chair of the NSW/Territories CABS for a two-year term. The Chair also advised that a nationwide academic integrity project, initiated by OzCABS at its 2014 National Conference, is now underway and UOW representatives are involved. A grant application has been submitted to the Federal Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) for the project and further updates will be provided to Academic Senate in due course. Finally, the Chair advised members of the release of revised Guidance Notes from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and their emphasis on the external review of academic boards. Advice has been sought from other universities on their experiences in conducting external reviews to inform UOW’s next steps in this regard.

*A7 Vice-Chancellor’s Report

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) thanked all staff involved in the recent graduation ceremonies, which ran seamlessly. The VC also thanked all staff responsible for bringing the SWS campus initiative to fruition, given the recent announcement.

The VC reported as follows: • The VC attended the 2016 Federal Budget education ‘lock-up’ in Canberra the night prior,

which was attended by Senator the Honourable Simon Birmingham, the Federal Minister for Education and Training and various departmental officials.

• It appears that the demand-driven Higher Education (HE) system or income-contingent loan

model for students aren’t being contested. The scale of accumulated cuts to the HE sector, whilst still significant, that were initially forecasted to be in the region of $4 billion are now nearer $2.5 billion.

• The effect on universities is that there will be a reduction in funding from the Federal Government. In 2014, the Budget proposed a 20% cut in funding from the Commonwealth to all universities. It appears that the implementation of the 20% cut will take place from January 2018, giving time to revisit student fee levels or other initiatives.

• A Department of Education and Training options paper has been released and is freely available for download and comment. Submissions close 25 July, outside of the potential election date (https://www.education.gov.au/news/consultation-future-higher-education-reform). The key message from the options paper indicates that, in order to address the 20% cut to funding, the ratio of a 60:40 split between the Commonwealth and students respectively will move closer to a 50:50 split. As a result, it can be anticipated that the Commonwealth will be looking closely at the band structure.

• Senator Birmingham has flagged allowing universities the opportunity to declare ‘flagship courses’ (limited to 20% of the student load) that any one university can elect to lift fees above the notional level for. The options paper details the requirements for ‘flagship courses’, such as it being defined as an excellent course. Indicators are that there is a gradual movement towards deregulation, with it being foreseeable that the limit to 20% of the student load could be progressively pushed higher.

• The options paper also canvasses permitting of sub-bachelor degree expansion in universities. However, it appears the vocational education and training (VET) sector equivalent needs reining in.

• The reintroduction of a lifetime limit for HECS-HELP appears likely, as are moves to pursue residual debt from deceased estates.

• In relation to research, it appears positive for the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program but not so much for Australian Research Council (ARC). The announcement of the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) in late 2015 emphasises innovation.

• The Department of Education and Training’s Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) will receive further funding. TEQSA and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) will also receive funding, but the same cannot be said for OLT. Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) appears to have funding cuts.

• Should the current Government be re-elected, it is unclear whether the cuts flagged for implementation from January 2018 will be effective immediately in full or staggered. The full effects of the cuts are unlikely to be clear until 2021, when the first affected student cohort completes.

• Finally, securing increasing student numbers is important in what will be a tight financial environment. The implications of the Budget, the ‘flagship course’ model and move in resourcing from 60:40 to 50:50 will need consideration in a UOW context.

An attendee asked, in the context of another university in NSW reducing the total number of courses offered from 120 to 20, whether there would be any impact on UOW. The VC advised that it appeared that the University of Sydney was responding to moves by the University of Melbourne to redesign their undergraduate course offerings. The curriculum reform is similar to what has already happened at UOW (with the Curriculum Transformation Project reviewing our course offerings from about 400 courses to around 250) and is one way of making efficiencies whilst ensuring a richness of courses for all students. There is no plan to move to such a small number of undergraduate courses at UOW. A member commended the launch of the SWS campus, but expressed concern about the lack of discussion about HE and its funding in public fora, compared to the visibility of primary and secondary education funding debates. The VC advised that the discussion around the Gonski funding model makes it clear parents are concerned about the schooling provided to their children. He noted Universities Australia has run campaigns to draw attention to tertiary education being a continuation of this schooling. However, political parties vying for voter sentiment appear to have put the issue of HE funding on the back burner.

A member asked what kind of financial contribution would be provided by the Federal Government for ‘flagship courses’. The VC advised that this is unclear, particularly given the options paper refers to a taper model, in that if universities lift their fees dramatically for a certain course, some portion of those funds may be expected to be returned to the Federal Government or that there may be less Commonwealth funding for the course. Analysis will need to be undertaken by the Institutional Research & Government Reporting Unit.

*A8 Student Members’ Business

A student member advised that the Wollongong University Student Association (WUSA) Council recently met with Senator Birmingham and expressed their support for abolishing the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The WUSA Council also met with the Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP, NSW Treasurer and Mr Gareth Ward MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier for the Illawarra and South Coast on their recent visit to UOW. A recent topic of interest for WUSA has been the negative experiences of some WUSA members at the recent National Union of Students (NUS) conference. The student member advised that several members of the WUSA Council that were delegates at the conference reported harassment and bullying, expressing concern in relation to well-publicised NUS activities at recent protests and allegations of damage to property. The WUSA Council has also expressed concern over an invoice issued to it from NUS for $109,650 in fees and will be moving to hold a referendum in August in order to cease membership of NUS. The student member advised that the smoke-free campus policy had recently been considered at the Student Representative Forum (SRF) and was not endorsed on the basis that it was deemed there had been insufficient consultation and broader consultation was needed. The student member congratulated Learning, Teaching and Curriculum on their recent student ambassador program launch. The student member advised that they will be involved in the digital education programs, particularly digital lecture capture and will report back to Academic Senate later in the year. The Chair advised members that the Academic Senate secretariat and Governance and Legal Division had communicated with WUSA around the NUS concerns and to ensure that the incidences of harassment and bullying had been appropriately addressed. Another student member raised concerns about the Federal Defence Trade Controls Act, which recently came into effect, and concerns about the impact on postgraduate students attending conferences. The student member also queried the implications of dual-supervised students and thesis examination. The DVCRI confirmed that these issues are front and centre for the University and that extra resources have been provided to the Research Services Office and the Graduate Research School to address them. The DoR advised that the impact on coursework degrees should be minimal. Students should discuss the implications with their supervisors and students are also welcome to contact the DoR to discuss.

*A9 Members’ Business

The Chair thanked A/Prof Romy Lawson, who leaves UOW on 6 May 2016, for her service on Academic Senate and to the wider University. The Chair also noted than an election will take place at the next meeting of Academic Senate to fill the non-faculty academic vacancy created by Professor Lawson’s departure. The Chair advised members that, as per the agenda paper, Associate Professor Nadia Solowij and Ms Robyn Coman replace Ms Alexis St George and Dr Gerard Stoyles as academic Faculty of Social Sciences members of Academic Senate. The Chair also advised that, as highlighted at the last meeting of Academic Senate, her first two-year term as Chair of Academic Senate ends on 30 June 2016. As per the Academic Senate Electoral Rules (the Rules), an election is to be held before 30 June 2016.

Nominations were invited from eligible academic staff members (Professors and Associate Professors) for election as Chair in the weeks after the 17 February 2016 Academic Senate meeting via a Notice of Election that was emailed to eligible academic staff members and also placed on the University’s public elections website. Notice was also included in Universe, UOW’s weekly staff newsletter. At the close of nominations on 27 April, one valid nomination was received from Professor Wilma Vialle. As per section 9.18 of the Rules:

If, at the close of nominations, the number of valid nominations is equal to the number of persons to be elected, the Returning Officer is to declare the persons nominated to be elected. Accordingly, the Returning Officer has declared Professor Vialle elected to a second two-year term as Chair, for the term 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2018. A member raised concerns in relation to the suspension and discontinuation of courses, in the context of Academic Senate’s Terms of Reference to ‘make determinations on proposals for introduction of new or amended courses, or the deletion of existing courses’ and the role of Academic Senate in approval of course discontinuation, as set out in the Course and Subject Approval Procedures and the Course and Subject Approval Procedures. The member noted that section 20.5 of the Course Design Procedures states that the ‘Academic Senate is responsible for final approval of proposals for new courses and significant amendments to existing courses that meet the requirements of these procedures’. The member advised that course discontinuation is categorised as a ‘significant amendment’, which requires the approval of Academic Senate, and that a course suspension or suspension of a study major for a year is a ‘less significant amendment’ which does not involve Academic Senate. The member was concerned that prolonged back-to-back suspension of certain courses and majors could be effective discontinuation, which would occur without the scrutiny of Academic Senate. The member listed the proposed suspensions of majors of Science and Technology Studies and Cultural Studies in LHA as examples. The member also raised concerns about the consequential impact on staff and students and the importance of effective communication with affected staff and students. The member noted section 4.7 of the Academic Review Policy, which states that the University’s ‘strategic planning and academic review processes are monitored at an institutional level by the Academic Senate and the University Council’ and queried whether Academic Senate needed to have more involvement in course amendment processes. The Chair advised that the member had initially indicated to the Academic Senate secretariat the submission of an agenda paper on the concerns raised. Given that the examples of the concerns referred to were course suspensions, the Chair advised the member that approval was under the remit of faculties. The Chair also advised members that the Academic Quality and Standards Unit was reviewing the definition of ‘significant amendments’ and ‘less significant amendments’ and that the concerns about suspensions would be considered as a part of this review. The Director, AQS advised that the current process for managing course amendments was informed by advice from faculties (received in the course of the last significant review of the Procedures) that the centralised model for course, major and specialisation management was slower and more resource intensive than a decentralised model. He advised that some suspensions result in reinstatement, such as those suspended around the time of the introduction of the Academic Qualifications Framework (AQF) processes, and that course suspension should not be taken to be discontinuation. The Acting Executive Dean, LHA, advised that the proposed suspension of two majors raised is currently in the consultative phase, including consultation with the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). Asked whether the suspension of two majors in LHA had been considered by the FEC, the LHA Associate Dean (Education) advised that the proposal was still in the consultative phase. The DVCA reiterated that there are established processes for course and major amendments and that the matter is being considered by the Joint Consultative Committee (JCU) between the University and the NTEU.

The member moved a motion that the Academic Senate:

inquire into the ongoing suspension of course and major processes in order to review these processes, and will revise current procedures for suspension and discontinuation of courses and majors by explicitly acknowledging the connection between the two processes and strengthening its role in the oversight and approval of the relevant procedures at the Faculty level.

A member seconded the motion.

The Vice-Chancellor moved that the motion not be put. This motion was seconded and carried by members of Academic Senate. The Chair advised members that discussion on the matter had closed.

Resolved (2016/13): that Academic Senate: (i) note the outcome and congratulate Professor Wilma Vialle on being elected the Chair of

Academic Senate for the term 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2018; and (ii) declare Associate Professor Nadia Solowij and Ms Robyn Coman elected as academic

Faculty of Social Sciences members of Academic Senate for the term 4 May 2016 to 30 June 2017.

*A10 Questions on Notice

Nil. PART B – GENERAL BUSINESS *B1 Code of Practice: Teaching and Assessment (COPTA) Review – Teaching and Assessment

Policy Suite & Presentation

The Chair invited Dr Simon Bedford, Senior Lecturer, Learning, Teaching & Curriculum (LTC), Mr Dominic Riordan, Director, Academic Quality and Standards (AQS) and Associate Professor Rodney Vickers to speak to the item.

Mr Riordan advised members that the review provides an opportunity to bring the University’s key policy on teaching and assessment into line with changes to Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) (HESF), including requirements for quality assurance requirements, external benchmarking and the alignment between courses, subjects and assessment. The review addresses several major policy initiatives in the teaching and learning area and will also support the TEQSA re-registration process. The revised policy suite spans the following policy documents: • Teaching and Assessment: Code of Practice – Teaching (new); • Teaching and Assessment: Assessment and Feedback Policy (new); • Teaching and Assessment: Subject Delivery Policy (new); and the • Code of Practice - Casual Academic Teaching (already existing policy, to be renamed ‘Teaching

and Assessment: Code of Practice – Casual Academic Teaching’). Pending Senate endorsement, the revised policy suite will be forwarded to Council for approval later in 2016 and be implemented by from Autumn Session 2017.

Dr Bedford detailed the alignment between the HESF, University policy and the practical implementation of teaching and assessment, which seek to create a positive impact on the student learning experience. LTC have developed a number of resources to support the revised policy suite and will embed these in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules for academic staff. A Special Interest Group has also been established and consultation across the University has informed the development of supporting resources. Associate Professor Vickers outlined the data available to academic staff when conducting a course review, in particular the Comparative Student Outcome Reports and the difficulty in digesting vast volumes of data. A proposed new data analytics dashboard, Data for Review of Teaching (DaRT), is intended to support the identification and interpretation of relevant data.

The Chair drew members’ attention to quorum, noting that the meeting will be inquorate should further members leave. A member sought information on how data would be provided on subjects across degree programs. Mr Riordan advised that Academic Program Directors will mediate connections between courses. A member queried the skewing of data. The Director, AQS advised that from a quality assurance perspective, scaling should only be done in limited circumstances. A/Prof Vickers emphasised the use of historical data. A member raised concerns in relation to the role of Academic Program Director and the associated staffing implications arising from the increased administrative and governance workload contained in the role. The member also queried the relationship between the Academic Program Director, the FEC Chair and the Head of School, given the Head of School review. The DVCA advised that from pedagogical perspective, the Academic Program Director is a critical role and resources need to be allocated to support the role and that the revised policy suite provides a systematic approach across the faculties. The meeting became inquorate and, consistent with section 10.9(10)(a) of Renton’s Guide to Meeting Procedures, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 11:45am, with the item unresolved.

B2 Amendments to the Academic Senate Terms of Reference Resolved (2016/14):

that Academic Senate: (i) endorse the revised Academic Senate Terms of Reference, as attached to the agenda paper;

and (ii) forward the revised Terms of Reference to University Council for approval.

B3 UOW College Annual Review Outcomes Resolved (2016/15):

that Academic Senate receive the UOW College 2015 Annual Review Outcomes Report, as attached to the agenda paper.

B4 TEQSA Re-registration Update Resolved (2016/16):

that Academic Senate note the TEQSA Re-registration Updates as set out in the agenda paper.

*B5 Presentation on the UOW Brand Refresh Due to timing constraints, this presentation was not delivered and the item was not discussed. PART C – ACADEMIC SENATE COMMITTEE BUSINESS *C1 Business from Academic Senate Committees

Due to timing constraints, this item was not discussed.

*C2 Revised University Research Committee Terms of Reference

Due to timing constraints, this item was not discussed.

C3 Student Awards Committee – Prize Proposals and Prize Revisions

Resolved (2016/17):

that Academic Senate: (i) approve the following new prize proposals:

a. Most Promising Computing Professional Industry Prize; b. Big Fat Smile Visual Arts Graduate Prize; c. Jock Perkins Design Prize; d. School of Education Outstanding Thesis Award;

e. School of Psychology Top Student Award - SIM; f. Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre Artist in Resident Prize; and

(ii) note the prize revisions approved by the Student Awards Committee, as detailed in the agenda paper.

C4 Committee Minutes Resolved (2016/18): that Academic Senate:

(i) note the minutes from the following Academic Senate Committee meetings, as attached to the agenda paper:

a. Academic Staff Development Committee minutes for the meeting held on 8 March 2016;

b. University Research Committee minutes for the meetings held on 3 December 2015 and 24 February 2016;

c. University Internationalisation Committee minutes for the meetings held on 9 December2015 and 31 March 2016;

d. University Education Committee minutes for the meeting held on 20 January 2016; e. Student Awards Committee minutes for the meeting held on 15 March 2016;

(ii) note the draft minutes from the UOW Dubai Academic Board for the meeting held on 16 March 2016; and

(iii) note the minutes from the UOW College Academic Board for the meeting held on 24 March 2016.

PART D – COURSE APPROVALS D1 Course approvals actioned outside of formal course approval meetings Resolved (2016/19): that Academic Senate:

(i) note the Course Approval actions undertaken outside of formal meetings, as outlined in the agenda papers; and

(ii) approve the proposal to discontinue the course, Master of Education (Advanced Pedagogy in Physical Education and Sport), as outlined in the agenda papers, to become effective from Spring Session, 2016.

D2 New Majors: Bachelor of Science Advanced & Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) Atmospheric Science - 2017EIS07 Biomolecular Physics - 2017EIS06

New Major: Bachelor of Computer Science & Bachelor of Computer Science (Dean’s Scholar) Game and Mobile Development - 2017EIS03

New Major in the Bachelor of Information Technology & Bachelor of Information Technology (Dean’s Scholar)

Social and Digital Innovation - 2017EIS02

Major Discontinuations Enterprise Systems Development, Mobile Computing and Multimedia and Game Development -

2017EIS05 Social Policy - 2017EIS04 Resolved (2016/20):

that Academic Senate approve the proposal: (i) to discontinue the following majors, as outlined in the agenda papers, effective from Autumn

Session, 2017: i. Enterprise Systems Development;

ii. Mobile Computing; iii. Multimedia and Game Development; iv. Social Policy;