Prior to the meeting, Director of Alumni & Community Relations, Lea Sublett, gave an overview of UQ's alumni activities and strategies, including her office's measurable targets for engagement.
I suppose it was inevitable that a working party report entitled 'Enhancement of Agriculture at UQ' would have as a key recommendation the killing off of the Faculty that has 'Agriculture' in its name. Yes, Minister. None-the-less, a strong, Gatton-based School of Agriculture & Food Science should emerge as we say goodbye to NRAVS and hullo to an even bigger Science Faculty that will also have a School of Veterinary Science.
The Academic Board meeting that debated the recommendations was the liveliest one that's taken place for a long time, and the well-aired arguments were faithfully reported to Senate. At the Board meeting, the Acting V-C, Mick Keniger, became a little emotional when speaking about the professional staff who will be affected by the change. He acknowledged their strong contribution at Gatton and said that although the restructure is not cost-driven, some individual positions will be affected and staff will be consulted early in the implementation phase.
My elected academic colleague on Senate, Andrew Bonnell, spoke to the report at Senate and said that he was pleased that there was an undertaking to consult staff properly during any restructuring. Rest assured, the unions, including mine, will be strong advocates for due process.
A committee consisting of the Chancellor, Deputy Chancellor, Finance Committee Chair, Vice-Chancellor and HR Director has been set up to oversee executive staff remuneration. It will determine the VC's annual performance bonus (without him present), and do the same thing for the V-C's direct reports. Senate will simply be told when the Chancellor has done the VC's annual performance review - no more details than that.
Staff may be interested to know that a fund exists, called the R. K. MacPherson Gift, which was established "to assist members of staff in a position of sudden and extraordinary need." The fund balance, which was reported to Senate, is very substantial. Presumably executives who miss out on a performance bonus (see previous item) don't qualify.
Routine reports of sub-committees, receipt of the Annual Report, the Research Report, the Environmental Sustainability Report, HUPP changes, rule changes, etc.
