DRAFT 

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

STAFF CONSULATIVE GROUP

MINUTES OF MEETING OF 10 May 2007

Minutes of the meeting of the Staff Consultative Group held on 10 May 2007 at 9.00
am in the Senate Room, Level 3, Lincoln Building.

Present:

Mr John Andrews 				G7
Dr Peter Browne 				A10
Associate Professor Suzan Burton 		A2
Ms Leanne Cameron 			G8
Ms Robyn Clarke 				G2
Ms Phoebe Dangerfield 			G6
Mr Edward Davies 				CPSU
Ms Alana Freeburn 				NTEU
Ms Stephanie Grolimund 			NTEU
Mr David Hackett 				G9
Associate Professor Ritchie Howitt 		A8
Ms Carolyn Kennett (Chair)			NTEU
Associate Professor Julian Leslie 		A3
Mr Ryan Lawson 				G3
Associate Professor Catriona MacKenzie 	A7
Mr Michael Marston 			G5
Ms Dianne Mitchell 				CPSU
Mr Lachlan Morgan 	(Deputy Chair)	G4
Mr Rod Nurthen 				G12
Ms Cathy Rytmeister 			A1
Mr Vasantha Saparamadu 			NTEU
Ms Cathie Shanley 				G13
Ms Sue Spinks 				A9
Mr Greg Stark 				CPSU
Dr Iain Stewart 				A6
Ms Cathy Wright 				G14
Ms Sandra Cheeseman substituting for 	A4

Guests:

Mr Tim Sprague Human Resources

1. APOLOGIES

Ms Meredith Martinelli 	G1
Dr Ros Kison			A4
Dr Richie Howitt		A8

The apologies as listed above were noted.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Corrections noted and minutes accepted.

3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

a.	SCG Policy

There was lengthy discussion of the revised SCG policy.

Resolution 07/13 

Amendment to internal SCG Rules and procedures

That the SCG Agenda and Process Sub Committee be empowered to create ad hoc working groups on policies notified to the SCG Chair between scheduled meetings. This recognizes the need for expedited policy consultation in order for the University to comply with external requirements such as HEWRR’s and to adapt to internal structural and other change.

      Resolution 07/14

       Promotion and status of the SCG

       The SCG recommends that:

The work of the SCG Chair is formally recognized in terms of workload pattern and workload allocation as a fraction of a full time load with appropriate central funding.

The SCG as a formally constituted University Committee is consistently promoted across the University in particular to University managers in order to clarify and emphasize the importance of time release and workload recognition for SCG members.

b.	Filling of Vacancies

The Chair identified that Christine Jones (G11) has resigned from the SCG. As a consequence there are currently 4 electorates without representation.

There was considerable discussion concerning the manner in which casual vacancies on the SCG would be dealt with under the proposed policy revisions progressed by Human Resources. 

There was no support from the SCG for the “2nd past the post “ proposal contained in the current version of the policy.

Criteria for the filling of Vacancies need to be included in the policy.

Resolution 07/15

SCG recommends that Human Resources revisit wording of Casual vacancies clause in light of SCG discussions.  

c.	University Procedures for policy development

Resolution 07/16

The SCG recommends that :

HR devise a clear procedure for policy development that includes guidelines on :

•	Notification to the SCG of policies under development
•	Identify whether policy is new or revised
•	Consultation obligations in accordance with the Macquarie University Enterprise Agreement 2006 – 2009
•	Mechanisms for staff consultation on draft policies and availability of support for implementation
•	All policies identify the status of consultation 
•	Provenance is identified

The SCG further recommends that:

The University establish a central policy register with easy web access, including access to previous versions of policies.

d.	Chairs of Sub Committees

Resolution 07/17

Associate Professor Julian Leslie was appointed as the Chair of the Agenda and Process Sub Committee unopposed.

      Resolution 07/18

Robyn Clarke was appointed as the Chair of the Staff Development Sub Committee unopposed.

Resolution 07/19

Cathy Rytmeister was appointed as Chair of the Implementation Sub Committee unopposed

e.	SCG Website

The Report from the Chair identified that an alternate SCG website has been developed and is available to be viewed at www.math.mq.edu.au/-carolyn/SCG

Resolution 07/20

The SCG recommends that a link to the SCG Homepage be created from the Macquarie Staff Homepage as opposed to the link being from the Human Resources Homepage given that the SCG performs a policy consultation role beyond HR policy.

5.	REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

Report from the SCG  Chair was tabled.

6.	PRESENTATION/QUESTION TIME – DIRECTOR HR

2007 HEWRR’s compliance requirements

The Director Human Resources, Tim Sprague gave a short presentation with respect to the HEWRR’s compliance requirements for 2007. The list of indicative policies identified by DEST was circulated to SCG members by the SCG Chair.

Position Classification for General Staff

The Macquarie University Enterprise Agreement 2006 –2009 Clause 4.10.10 requires that the outcomes of the job evaluation banding project will be presented to the SCG within 12 months of the Agreement coming into operation. 

The Director Human Resources presented the details of the outcomes of this project and will circulate a formal report to SCG members in the short term.

Policies to be released to SCG imminently

The Director Human Resources identified that the following policies would be released to the SCG for consultation in the short term:

Performance Development and Review Policy
Pre retirement Contract Policy
Flexible Working Arrangements
Variable Working Hours policy
Market Loadings policy

Review of Code of Conduct

The Director Human Resources identified that originally the University was intending to undertake a review of the Code of Conduct. A a precursor to this review the University is undertaking a University Values project. Associate Professor Mackenzie is a participant in this project and provided an update on the process. The Director Human Resources indicated that the review of the Code of Conduct will occur following the University Values project.

9. REPORTS FROM WORKING PARTIES

a)	Outside Studies Program and Promotions Policy

Human Resources is currently awaiting feedback from the DVC Research

Resolution 07/21

SCG unanimously endorse the recommendations of the OSP and Promotions Policy Working party

b)	Outside work and Personal leave policy

Report of the working party was tabled.

Resolution 07/22

SCG unanimously endorse the recommendations of the  Outside Work and Personal leave Working party

c)	Position Classifications 

Report of the Working party was tabled.

Resolution 07/23

SCG unanimously endorse the recommendations of the Position Classifications Working party

10. POLICIES FOR REVIEW

Resolution 07/21

That the workgroups related to the next round of policies for review would be established via email.

There being no further business the meeting was declared closed at 12:35 pm