Prior to the meeting proper, Senate received a presentation by Dr David Kennedy, CEO of Altlantic Philanthropies Australia, on how to succeed in attracting philanthropic donations as a university. His basic message was to find a world-class model that works, adapt it to UQ, and develop it to become national-class. Alumni development starts with delivering tangible benefits while alumni are still students. Sending emails will not of itself bring financial return, but 'high-touch' engagement activities with potentional benefactors are important. Over-investment in staffing development offices in the early years was argued to be worthwhile.

Routine Business

Rule changes; PPL changes; reports from Senate sub-committees; honorary degree nominations; approval of the undertaking of a review of the Senate Standing Committee for Equity, Diversity and the Status of Women.

Student Misconduct

The annual report of misconduct statistics was received. The last AUQA audit of UQ had picked up that there appeared to be a lack of consistency in the detection and prosecution of student academic misconduct across the University. The VC argued that this had improved, pointing to a tally of cases by School. I argued that inconsistencies remained. For example, two Engineeing Schools with 82 and 59 cases in 2011 respectively, yet two other Engineeing Schools with zero cases. The response was that two of the Schools are more-involved in first year BE teaching than the others, but I believe closer analysis is warranted. I also pointed out that EMSAH had 29 cases, yet Journalism & Communication none.

Long Pocket

If UQ is successful in gaining long-term access to a State Government site at Long Pocket, I asked whether Senate would have a say in how use of the site is planned, but, as has become the common answer to questions I raise, the EDO responded that such planning is a management issue. He expected that the VC would however brief Senate.

Governance

The President of the Academic Board reported on some of the sentiments expressed by a number of members of the Academic Board at its most-recent meeting about their concerns about the lack of involvement of the Board's representatives to Senate in the selection process for the new Vice-Chancellor, and about openness and transparency in general. [At the Board meeting I had echoed sentiments of a number of speakers and expressed my concern that the small role of staff in the governance of the University appeared to be ever-diminishing to the point that staff are simply employees rather than stakeholders. I also alerted Board members to the fact that the minutes of Senate meetings have not been published on the web since the middle of 2011 and that this was a unilateral decision of the executive, not of the Senate.] The President said that the Board was looking forward to increased discussion of governance at its meetings.

The Chancellor responded by reiterating his reasons for a more-streamlined selection committee and by saying that the role of the Board in UQ governance is well-recognised. It was agreed that, in addition to regular reports from the Board to Senate, the Board will provide a consolidated annual report to Senate in future.

ARMS Restructure

Although not part of the Senate meeting business, I can report that I and two other Senators had written to the Chancellor ahead of the meeting requesting confirmation that the Crime & Misconduct Commission was being fully briefed about plans to restructure Assurance & Risk Management Services at UQ, given current sensitivities about how complaints and misconduct investigations are handled in the University. We were satisfied with the written responses we received from the Chancellor and EDO.

Appointment of new Vice-Chancellor

Senators considered a recommendation from the selection committee and resolved after due discussion to appoint the preferred applicant.

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