A relatively short meeting, as is often the case for the first of the year (not so many reports from sub-committees, etc yet).
Mr John Story (grandson of J.D. Story, after whom the central administration building is named) was welcomed as the new Chancellor. This followed a secret ballot conducted by mail amongst Senators in early February. There had been two candidates and each had made a written statement which accompanied the ballot papers. Story was already a serving member of the Senate. One wag pointed out that at least we wouldn't need to name another building.
The Vice-Chancellor said that the impact was unlikely to be major in 2009, but could be larger in 2010.
The drop in the value of the Australian dollar is good in terms of the cost value of our programs to international students. International enrolments are up substantially for 2009. But if a global recession bites hard, those sending their children to study in Australia might find it difficult in 2010. The exchange rate is not good for the overseas purchases we have to make for equipment and the library.
The impact on domestic enrolments is not yet clear, although there is some increase in postgraduate coursework starts.
Some industry partners on research contracts are starting to withdraw, as they cut back corporate spending.
Senate noted a submission to the V-C from the UQ Climate Change group, an independent group of students and staff, including NUS and NTEU representatives, formed to raise awareness and generate action on issues of environmental sustainability, and most urgently, climate change. Academic Staff elected member of Senate, Andrew Bonnell, commended the submission.
The submission suggests ways UQ can further reduce carbon emissions, and source and generate green energy, and that a Senate Standing Committee for Sustainabilty and a Centre for Sustainabilty be established, along with a Sustainability Fund. The V-C responded that, amongst other things, UQ was looking to create a Global Climate Change Institute, encompassing student involvement.
The Federal Government is allowing universities to charge a $250 fee to students from 2009 to fund some of the student union services that the University has been subsidising since the Howard Government introduced voluntary student unionism in 2006, effectively slashing funding for such services. The Government is yet to announce exactly what the fees collected can be spent on.
In noting the development, two opposing views were expressed at Senate. On one hand, some of us hoped that advocacy and clubs & societies would be amongst the things fees could be spent on and that the student union would have control over its own finances. An opposing view, put by the current right-wing UQU president, is that the fee should not be compulsory and should not be allowed to be "squandered on political campaigns like the 'let's get rid of Howard' campaign".
A proposal from the Faculty of Health Sciences to treat UQ's operations at the Heston site as a campus was approved.
Senate noted a report of a review of ICTE and the Director's response. The efforts of the staff at ICTE in contributing to its success were commended on a suggestion by Andrew Bonnell.
The new HUPP 7.10.1 - Parking on University Sites (consequent on the review of parking approved by Senate in late 2008) was not approved, pending reconsideration of the section on guaranteed parking, because it excludes members of Senate who are staff from parking in the Senate carpark.
This is not of concern to me, as I prefer to park elsewhere anyway, but the reasonable point was made by a member that why should internal members of Senate be treated differently from external members of Senate? Could it be related to a sense that staff shouldn't really be on the Senate anyway? Hmmm.
Another report from the Centenary Celebrations Committee was noted. A task force has been established, a communications plan is being developed (a logo was noted by Senate), a formal event will be held 16 April and a public showcase event ('Community on Campus') 17-18 April. An alumni weekend is planned for 3-4 July. An oration series, commissioned piece of music, art exhibition, and even a film are being talked about. A draft budget for the centenary is in preparation, and individual organisational units who put on approved events and projects can expect to get about $5,000 each. Proposals will be called for at some stage.
Now that the taskforce has an executive officer with more time available to her, things are expected to pick up, with another report to come to the May Senate.
