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Memorandum to Staff

Vice Chancellor's Comment to Staff on Matters Raised with Senate

I wish to share with staff some of the issues I raised with Senate in my report to it on
21 September 2009.

Enrolments

I was pleased to report that indications from such sources as inquiries, applications for the Early Achievers Program and Open Days are that domestic demand should be very strong for 2010.

However, the news regarding international enrolments is less positive for the sector overall, and for ACU. In terms of the sector generally, enrolments of Indian students will be down by up to 40 per cent and ACU may well follow this trend.

The effects of this downward trend will be very significantly alleviated by steps already undertaken by the University. Principally, these include the deliberate increase in the enrolment of domestic students at the beginning of this year, alongside the changes to our nursing degrees as they relate to international students. It is, however, timely to review our approach to international operations.

The relevant senior University officers are continuing to work on mitigating any negative implications of the downturn.

Government

I informed Senate that I have met with DEEWR to discuss Commonwealth Compacts and have also met with several state and local government members to discuss issues affecting the University.

New South Wales operations and Strathfield Campus

I briefed Senate that the University is currently conducting a master planning process for its Sydney campuses. Staff members were informed of this process through a Vice-Chancellor's memo last month.

Governance Review

I had previously reported at the last meeting in May, that the Company endorsed a proposal by me for a review of the governance structures of the University, with the review working party to be composed of a mixture of company members, senior staff and senators.

University Identity and University Symbols

I advised Senate that the University is currently conducting a review of its 'brand' through the agency of a very experienced consultant, Mr. Rob Lawrence.

In a similar direction, but on a quite different plane, I have raised at both Senate and Company the matter of the symbols by which the University presents its particular identity to the world, and the extent to which these symbols are appropriate or adequate.

This discussion, which is still at a very early stage, tends to relate to four issues:

  • The University's 'symbol' or 'coat of arms';

  • The question of a University motto (currently non-existent);

  • The desirability of a University prayer; and

  • The question of patrons for the University as a whole and its various campuses.

A working party has been convened to consider these matters. Further advice will be provided to Senate and to staff members in due course.

Vice-Chancellor's Strategic communication

I advised Senate that in response to the results of the VOICE staff survey, my office will be producing a monthly newsletter to communicate with staff. The objectives of the newsletter are:

  • to increase staff awareness around the strategic direction of the University
  • to highlight many of the successful initiatives that the University undertakes
  • to make the senior leadership team more visible to staff (given the geographic spread of the University)
  • to bring together some of the high level information that is disseminated through other means

Building - Chapels

I advised Senate that a number of major building projects are underway - notably including the strategic project in Melbourne.

I also brought to Senate's attention the fact that the University currently is in the process of developing plans for two chapels, one at North Sydney (as previously noted at Senate) and one in the new building at Melbourne.

Both chapels are being developed by working parties chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and including the relevant campus chaplains and staff from the Identity and Mission area of the University. Close consultation also has taken place with the Archdioceses of Sydney and Melbourne, which kindly have given the working parties access to liturgists and ecclesiastic architects.

The instructions to the designers have been for the chapels to be both classical and accessible in character. At this stage, working names for the chapel are, in the case of North Sydney, Mary, Seat of Wisdom (patron of all Catholic universities) and in Melbourne, Blessed Mary of the Cross (for obvious reasons of location).

Senior staff

I provided an update on the senior staff appointments resulting from the University restructure which is almost complete. I was pleased to report that the following appointments have been made:

  • Professor Thomas Martin as the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) to commence 5 October 2009
  • Professor John Devereux as the Associate Vice-Chancellor (Brisbane) to commence in January 2010
  • Associate Professor Patrick McArdle as the Director of the Institute of Catholic Identity and Mission
  • Professor Anthony J. Kelly CSsR, as the Deputy Director of the Institute of Catholic Identity and Mission

Following the appointment of Professor Anne Hunt OAM as Dean of Theology and Philosophy, I am pleased to advise that Associate Professor Sue McNamara has agreed to accept the role of Acting Campus Dean, Ballarat until the appointment process for a new Campus Dean is finalized.

I am also pleased to announce that Professor Michelle Campbell has been appointed as Professor of Nursing and Head of the School of Nursing (NSW & ACT) effective 1 July 2009.

I was also able to advise that recruitment activities continue for the Dean of Business.

Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Awards

I was pleased to report that six nominees from Australian Catholic University were selected to receive a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. The presentations were made at a Ceremony in Canberra on 5 August which I attended with Professor Anne Cummins, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Students, Learning and Teaching).

  • Dr Anne Drabble, Dr Pam Hanifin, Dr Barbara Odgers, Mr Vince Geiger, Ms Rachael Jacobs - For sustained excellence in the development of an innovative online facility that supports professional experience for teacher education practica.

  • Dr Lindsay Farrell - For sustained commitment to inspirational visual arts education through gallery-based programs and arts activities for equity groups and commitment to inspirational visual arts education through gallery-based programs and arts activities for equity groups.
  • Dr Ann Gervasoni - For contributions to teacher education, educational research and the development of community partnerships that enhance effective learning and teaching in mathematics education.

  • Dr Robyn Horner - For sustained and influential promotion of high standards in the design and delivery of theological education.

  • Dr Annette Schneider rsm - For modeling educational leadership in both course development and teaching, and leading eLearning at Australian Catholic University.

  • Dr Klaus Serr - For fostering student learning and constructive engagement in social justice issues through the creation of a nexus between teaching, professional practice and research.

The Good Universities Guide

I was pleased to advise the Senate that the Australian Catholic University had achieved a number of coveted 'five-star' performance ratings in the 2010 edition of The Good Universities Guide.

The University performed particularly well in the area of indigenous participation, with four out of the six campuses receiving the highest ratings in their individual states for this category. Similarly, the University performed strongly in the areas of access and equity and proportion given credit for TAFE studies.

University Events

I advised Senate of a number of recent University events:

  • Celebration of the centenary of the death of Blessed Mary MacKillop, which included a symphony mass in Melbourne, with performances by Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra, the Australian Catholic University Choir and the Music Glenelg Festival Singers. The North Sydney Campus commemorated the event with a mass in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel, followed by a lecture and panel discussion about the historical and contemporary relevance of her work.

  • A blessing of the Isabel Menton Centre by Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP (Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Sydney) also took place in North Sydney.

  • The launch of the Bachelor of High Performance (Sport and Business) with the President of the AFL Coaches Association, Mr Kevin Sheedy, and Chairman of the AFL Commission, Mr Mike Fitzpatrick, in attendance.

  • The launch of Bachelor of Physiotherapy, held at the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) on 1 September.

  • The Australian Catholic Bishops' launch of the annual Social Justice Statement at the Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) on Wednesday, 16 September.

I also advised Senate that the Spring Conferral of Awards ceremony is being held in Sydney on 29 September and as previously advised the Honorary Doctorate recipient will be General Peter Cosgrove AC MC, who will be awarded Doctor of the University (honoris causa). International ceremonies are currently planned for East Timor on the 31st October, the Honorary Doctorate recipient will be Ms Isabel Guterres, and the Hong Kong Graduation will be held on the 12 December.

Vice-Chancellor's Articles and Addresses

I advised the Senate of some of my recent and future speaking engagements which include:

  • The Barton Lecture at the University of Newcastle
  • National Human Rights Consultation Committee - Public Hearings - The Great Debate in Canberra
  • 2009 Sir Ronald Wilson Lecture - Law Week 2009 - The Law Society of Western Australia
  • I was also interviewed on the Margaret Throsby Program on ABC FM

In addition to the above occasions, I have given a number of media interviews, both print and radio.

Vice-Chancellor's external engagement

I have hosted several dinners over the past months to with Catholic and non-Catholic School Principals in Sydney and Melbourne to discuss Transformational Education and the Bradley Review. I attended the Sixth Annual Symposium on Religious Education Dinner which was held in Sydney.

Universities Australia

I advised Senate of my attendance at the Universities Australia Plenary Meeting which was held in Brisbane in August.

National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC)

I advised Senate of my attendance at the meeting the NCEC meeting held in Melbourne in June.

In Recognition

Professor Anthony Kelly CSsR, Professor of Theology at Australian Catholic University (ACU National), has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to the International Theological Commission for a further five years.

Dr Neil Levy, world leader in a new area of philosophy known as neuroethics, was announced as the 2009 winner of The Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Research in Ethics, sponsored by Australian Catholic University. The award recognises outstanding research into theoretical or practical ethical issues that contribute to the understanding and development of ethical standards, and can be awarded to an individual researcher or a research team. Now in its eighth year, the award is valued at $10,000.

I also advised Senate of the success of the ACU Men's water polo team, which became the first non-European team to win Gold at the World University Summer Games in Serbia on the last day of competition. First year student, Aidan Roach (Strathfield Campus, Exercise Science) proved valuable in the 6-4 win over Croatia.