A N N U A L R E P O R T
Report of the Proceedings of the University for the year ended Slst December, 1967.
To His Excellency,
Major-General Sir Rohan Delacombe, K.CM.G., K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., K.ST.J.
Governor of Victoria.
May it please Your Excellency,
I have the honur, in accordance with Section 43 of the University Act 1958, to submit to Your Excellency the following report of the Proceedings of the University during 1967.
1. Introduction
The year under review (1967) was the first of the new triennium.
Academics expect the last year of a triennium to raise its problems, but it is somewhat dashing when in the first year of a new triennium, the budget can be balanced only by cutting teaching budgets by seven per cent. No one can be happy about this exercise, but tribute must be paid to the loyalty of the staff who realistically examined all the issues and who gave time to sit on innumerable committees so as democratically to reach con- clusions which did as little damage as possible to teaching standards and yet achieved the necessary result. Had we received what was recommend- ed by the Australian Universities Commission, the University would not have been wealthy, but the worst economies would have been avoided.
A pleasing feature of the year was the helpful co-operation of the Victorian Premier and Treasurer, Sir Henry Bolte. Extra grants given outside the formula prevented a complete breakdown of our activities.
An interesting point was the expansion of the Medical School through the development of the Austin as a new teaching hospital. To the out- sider, it seemed rather strange that the University should be planning to take extra medical students in a year of such financial stringency. The position was that in 1963 the Govemment of Victoria and the Australian Universities Commission were faced with the need for a third Medical School because of the shortage of medical practitioners. After a long series of negotiations, the University was asked to increase roughly by half the intake into the Medical School, and substantial capital sums were added to the grants for the new Medical School in the south-west comer of the University precinct, so that the extra students could be accommo- dated. The bargain was therefore made in 1963 and the new medical buildings are now nearly completed. It was difficult to escape from an arrangement which had aheady given us substantial capital grants. More- over both the State of Victoria and the Australian Universities Commission pressed us strongly to continue with the exercise, which apart from the grants for University buildings, also entailed Commonwealth and State
g
rants for professorial units at the Austin and also State grants for the uilding of new wards at the Austin. Any suggestion that the University in 1967 deliberately decided to sacrifice other faculties and expand the Medical departments ignores entirely the history of the matter. It was at this point that Sir Henry Bolte made a grant outside the formula. In the event, by ruthless pruning of all our expenditure, we carried out our obligations—but it has not been easy.The lesson of this is that cutting back recommendations of the Aus- tralian Universities Commission creates an impossible situation where the cuts ignore arrangements for expansion aheady approved and to which the University has been committed.
The section on Research elaborates the somewhat unsympathetic atti- tude of the Commonwealth to the need for "basic training grants". Univer- sities welcome the help of the Australian Research Grants Committee towards specific projects, but unless the universities can train post- graduate students, there will be a dearth of talent to carry out these important projects. In this instance again the help of the Premier has reduced the magnitude of the crisis.
A university may function for a year or so in a state of financial crisis.
Tribute has already been paid to the loyalty and co-operation of staff.
But if this situation continues too long, the reputation of the University suffers and to hold staff and to gain new staff a university relies as much as anything on its standing in the intemational sphere. Good staff are more interested in conditions for teaching and research than in salaries.
Hence it is urgent that extra funds be secured.
2. Council
In March 1967 I was elected Chancellor in succession to Sir William Upjohn, who had held this position with distinction for the previous year following five years of service as Deputy-Chancellor. Mr L. W. Weick- hardt was re-elected as Deputy-Chancellor in April and his continuance in office has been of great assistance to me in my first year as Chancellor.
By an amendment to the University Statutes the Deputy Vice-Chan- cellor was made a member of Council in his own right and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Professorial Board were nominated as Pro- Vice-Chancellors. The Vice-Chairman of the Professorial Board, Professor Willett, had been a member of Council as a representative of the pro- fessors and relinquished his membership of Council in this category on his appointment as Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Professor Hargreaves was elected to fill the casual vacancy.
Elections were held at the end of the year for five representatives of Convocation to serve for four years from 17th December. Sir James Darl- ing, Mr Weickhardt, Sir Clive Fitts and Dr Law were re-elected and Mr Maurice Brown was elected for the first time, replacing Dr Coppel who has served as a member of Council since 1959. Dr Coppel has given particularly valuable service in connection with the University's legisla- tion. The Hon. Sir Arthur Dean resigned at the end of 1967 and Standing Committee of Convocation has been asked to nominate a representative to serve for the remainder of his term of office expiring on 16th December, 1969.
Elections were also held for representatives of the professors to serve for four years from 17th December. Professor S. Sunderland was succeed- ed by Professor H. A. J. Ford and Professor R. D. Wright and Professor M. E. Hargreaves were re-elected. Mr Hume Dow was also re-elected for four years from 17th December as the representative of the teaching staff other than professors.
At elections for the representatives of undergraduates, Mr P. M. Mul- queen was re-elected and Mr R. H. Hall elected. By a special revision in the University Act, the term of office for one candidate in this election is two years and for the other four years. Mr Mulqueen's term expires on 16th December, 1969 and Mr Hall's term on 16th December, 1971. Future elections of representatives of the undergraduates will be held every two years, for one representative to serve for four years.
Sir Ian Potter and Mr E. A. Rowlands were co-opted for a further term of office for four years from 16th December and Mrs M. Smart,
A N N U A L REPORT
Principal of St Hilda's College, was co-opted for four years from 16th December in succession to Rev. Professor J. D. McCaughey.
Re-appointments were made by the Govemor in Council: Mr N. E, T.
Jones, Dr N. B. Lewis, The Hon. Sir John Bloomfield, Mr A. L. Cahill and the Hon. R. J. Hamer were re-appointed for four years from 17th Decem- ber.
During the year Mr D. J. Hibberd was appointed to a casual vacancy on Council and Mr J. Nattrass succeeded Mr E. T. Beruldsen as an ex officio member appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Agri- cultural Colleges Act 1958. Both appointments were extended for a term of four years from 17th December.
Mr A. C. Holding was appointed to succeed Mr D. Lovegrove and Dr D. S. Wishart to succeed Mr F. M. Reed for the same term of office.
The appointment of Brigadier A. T. J. Bell as Registrar-Elect was announced during the year. To maintain a continuity of administrative procedures Mr Bell took up this appointment as full-time Registrar-Elect in October.
3. Convocation and the Standing Committee of Convocation
His Honour Mr Justice Menhennitt was re-elected as Warden of Convocation for 1967. The annual meeting of Convocation was held in the Public Lecture Theatre on Friday the Slst March 1967 preceded by a buffet dinner for members and their guests in the Union House. The Guest Speaker was Professor G. J. V. Nossal, Director of the Walter and Ehza Hall Institute of Medical Research, whose address entitled "The Impact of Medical Science on the Changing World" was heard with great interest by an audience of about 400. The Standing Committee of Con- vocation met 11 times during the year and considered 104 items of Univer- sity Legislation. The Standing Committee recommended amendments to various items of legislation which were subsequently adopted by the Council and during the year the Standing Committee made a number of suggestions to the Council concerning content of University courses, mem- bership of the University and representatives of Standing Committee, which were considered by Council and appropriate action was taken.
During the year there were eight casual vacancies on the Standing Com- mittee. Mr D. G. MacLeish was elected to fill a vacancy for representa- tives of graduates in medicine and the remaining vacancies will be filled early in 1968. In the elections held during the year the following were elected as members of the Standing Committee to represent the various classes of graduates for the period ending December 1971:
Arts: Miss M. Brennan; Mr R. E. Chapman; Miss M. E. Lazarus; Mr L. J.
Bowe; Mr F. R. Manley; Mr G. M. Stirling; Miss I. V. Lowndes;
Dr D. V. Satchell; Mr H. G. Fowler.
Dental Science: Mr K. Johnson.
Science: Mr A. G. Goodwin; Mr J. Wertheim.
Agriculture and Veterinary Science: Mr T. S. Bellair.
Music and Education: Mr H. M. Campbell.
Engineering and Architecture: Mr R. I. Macdonald.
Law: Mr J. P. Adam; Mr S. A. F. Pond.
4. The Professors
Professor V. M. Trikojus was elected as Chairman of the Professorial Board for 1967, and Professor F. J. Willett was elected as Vice-Chairman.
Professor J. W. Craggs resigned from the Chair of Apphed Mathe-
UNIVERSITY CALENDAR
matics on his appointment to the Chair in Engineering Mathematics at the University of Southampton.
Professor L. M. Jackman resigned from the Chair of Organic Chemistry to take up an appointment as a Professor of Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University.
Professor W. Woodruff resigned from the Chair of Economic History towards the end of 1966 in order to take up an appointment in the United States of America.
The following Professors took up duties of Chairs in 1967: Professor T. C. Chambers (Botany), Professor G. S. Christie (Pathology), Professor A. J. Day (Physiology), Professor H. H. Eddey (Surgery, Austin Hos- pital), Professor D. F. Gray (Medical Microbiology, Austin Hospital), Professor E. I. Sykes (Pubhc L a w ) , and Professor D. O. White (Micro- biology). Mr V. T. Buckley, Reader in English, was promoted to a per- sonal professorship.
5. The Faculties
Agriculture (Dean: Professor H. C. Forster)
There were 237 undergraduate students on course in 1967 and of these 39 quahfied for the degree of B.Agr.Sc. at the November examinations.
Twenty post-graduate students were enrolled in the research departments and six entered the course for the Diploma of Agricultural Extension.
Degrees conferred included one Ph.D., three M.Agr.Se. and nine Dip.Ag.- Extn. awards.
The development of the University Feld Station at Mount Derrimut, Deer Park, proceeded satisfactorily. A new deep fitter shed was provided for the poultry unit and work began on extensions to the student living quarters. Plans were prepared for a Biology Laboratory and for the Pig Research and Teaching Unit. A severe drought was experienced. Because of this, little grain was harvested and most crops were cut for hay for feeding to livestock.
The subject of Horticultural Science was incorporated in Agriculture Part III but otherwise no changes were made in the course for under- graduates. The pass rates were normal in Second Year and in Fourth Year. A record pass rate of 81 per cent was achieved in First Year. The pass rate in Third Year was disappointing.
Applied Science (Dean: Professor A. S. Buchanan)
The year has been marked by steady progress in the teaching of several courses of the Faculty. These courses in general have found stability following the changes in structure which have occurred over the last two or three years. Student numbers in the various years of the several courses in 1967 were as follows:
Course AppUed Chemistry Electronics
MetaUurgy Dietetics Optometry
Year 1
17 15 6 6 18
2 9 8 6 2 15
3 6 6 2 2 8
4 8 5 1 1 4
ANNUAL REPORT
Four students have been given approval to proceed with studies for the degree of Bachelor of Apphed Science (degree with honours).
Post-graduate training has also continued to build up satisfactorily with eight Masters candidates and one Ph.D. candidate enrolled during 1967. Shortage of research accommodation continues to be a source of difficulty in the several departments of the Faculty.
In spite of the progress reported above it is necessary to record also certain difficulties which arose during the course of the year. Quota res- trictions in Physiology and Biochemistry I threatened at the beginning of the year to exclude several qualified students from taking a complete second year. Representations to the University resulted in the provision of additional funds for demonstrators and so averted the problem for the time being. A similar situation has arisen over the provision of Rhetoric in 1968 by the Enghsh Department. No solution to this problem could be found and the Faculty has therefore arranged an alternative programme of teaching from its own resources. Quota problems are also looming in General Microbiology for 1968.
The Department of Biochemistry has felt itself unable to continue offering indefinitely its share of teaching in the Dietetics course, and consequently, with reluctance, the Faculty has agreed to suspension of intake of students for this course for 1968. In the meantime efforts will be made to find alternative ways of continuance of the course in the future, although it must be recognized that this will not prove easy.
In summary it will be clear that the financial restrictions prevaihng in the University have had a very adverse effect on the activities of the Faculty primarily because the Faculty has control over very few of the teaching organizations contributing to its courses. This is an aspect which will require careful consideration and perhaps some changes in the future.
Architecture (Dean: Professor B. B. Lewis)
Teaching problems resulting from the staff shortage have now become acute and the Faculty has been unable to maintain teaching standards this year. Despite urgent appeals for consideration over the past six years the following table shows the poor staff/student ratio existing in the Faculty. This position has been aggravated by two posts being reserved for the new, comparatively small, course of Bachelor of Building and one post reserved for teaching post-graduate studies.
1967 Full-time staff
(Establishment) Faculty enrolment (degree course)
1962 15 443
1963 16 . 506
1964 18 566
1965 20 579
1966 21 621
2 1 628
The staff:student ratio of the School of Architecture and Building is 1:30. By comparison, the lowest staff:student ratio of any other Australian School of Architecture is 1:15. The considerable help given by paid and unpaid part-time staff cannot make good the gross deficiencies.
With only one professor in the School, it has not been possible to attempt representation in any of the many professorial committees which deal with matters relevant to the difficulties. On the other hand, the University administration has shown itself aware of the troubles.
The revision of the bachelor degree courses of Architecture and Build- ing has reduced the student teaching load to 24 hours per week. Whilst the failure rate appears to be lower, consideration is still being given to methods of improving the examination structure. The Faculty is also currently working on a further course revision which will involve the introduction of a first degree after three years of study, to be followed by a second degree after one year of practical experience and two years of specialized study.
Thanks is due to Wunderlich Limited who have provided laboratory benches and ancillary equipment for the Chemistry and Structures Lab- oratory. The purchase of secondhand equipment by staff members has also enabled the students to receive essential basic teaching in the Physics laboratory.
A heartening end to the year was the decision by the University to build the fift tower and install one lift. Promises of materials from the building industry may enable an extension to the contract for completion of the building.
Arts (Dean: Professor R. F. Jackson)
This year saw a continued increase in student numbers. The total Faculty enrolment in E.F.T.S. (Equivalent Full Time Student) terms rose from 3,000 % in 1966 to 3,140 % in 1967. Although the Faculty decided not to recommend a reduction of the undergraduate quota for 1968, it is clear that, unless the E.F.T.S. enrolment shows signs of dropping next year, a substantial reduction may have to be recommended for 1969, if it is wish- ed to bring numbers back to the 1964 stabilization point. Meanwhile, some departments have, reluctantly, sought approval for a limitation of intake into certain first-year subjects, and with equal reluctance the Faculty as a whole has resolved to phase out external studies and to keep a close check, through its Selection Committee, on single-subject enrol- ments. At the same time, in the hope of attracting more of the State's best matriculants to Arts studies the Faculty this year pubhshed a Guide to Arts Courses designed not merely to help prospective students choose their courses wisely but also to suggest to readers the special interest and the particular challenge of the various Arts disciplines.
The University has accepted the Faculty's recommendation that the pass B.A. degree be reduced to a nine-subject degree. The main purpose of the change is to encourage a progressive intensification of study, over the three years, in the chief areas of each student's interest. The new regulation will come into effect in 1969, as will the new provision for the admission of students to honours schools, not at the beginning, but at the end of their first year.
Because of the 7 per cent cut in departmental budgets and the simul- taneous increase in enrolments the essential maintenance of the Faculty's teaching and research standards at their traditionally high level could only be achieved with difficulty in 1967. Our continued success in this during 1968-69 must be questionable unless some relief can shortly be granted to the larger over-burdened departments and unless some of the smaller ones, which cannot make the full reduction of expenditure without jeop- ardizing their essential academic function, are spared part or all of it.
Meanwhile, in the expectation that some funds will become available to
A N N U A L REPORT
promote growth in the next triennium the Faculty has planned, and ob- tained approval for, a small number of important new developments, including the Centre of Asian Studies, course work for M.A., and a Pro- fessional Training Unit in Psychology.
For Professor Macmahon Ball, Professor Maxwell, Professor Samuel, and Associate Professor Macartney 1967 was the year of retirement. The Faculty of Arts records its gratitude for their inestimable contribution.
Dental Science (Dean: Professor Sir Arthur Amies)
The First Year quota remained at 45 but consideration is being given to methods whereby this number may be increased. When fully equipped and adequately staffed the Dental School could produce about 60 gradu- ates per annum.
There continues to be a strong demand for first preference quahfied students to enter the dental course. This is reflected by the increasingly higher matriculation record of apphcants. Some apphcations have been made to enter the second year of the course.
Under changed regulations there will now be only one final examina- tion which will be held in November-December. (Previously there were two final examinations in each calendar year.) In 1967, 34 students gradu- ated, and this number may be slightly increased after supplementary examinations.
Post-graduate teaching continues to be a major activity of all depart- ments. During 1967 the number of post-graduates enrolled was:
M.D.Sc. By examination: Part I 24 Part II 23
By thesis 7 54
D.D.Sc. By thesis 5 Twelve candidates quahfied for the degree of Master of Dental Science
during the year.
The Emest Joske Memorial Library continues to provide a valuable service for undergraduate and post-graduate students. Its funds are so severely restricted that the present grant is sufficient to cover only the cost of periodicals and binding. Very few new volumes can be purchased.
It will be necessary to make urgent representations to the University for financial assistance in 1968.
Dr Eustace Jeffrey, Honorary Curator, has continued his valuable work in building up the collection of specimens in the Museum, and has arranged the historic material in a most attractive and informative manner.
At the Faculty meeting on December 11th Professor H. F. Atkinson was elected Dean for 1968 and Professor E. Storey was elected Associate Dean.
Dr W. E. Fleming, Senior Lecturer in Oral Pathology, retired after a long association with the Dental School. He built up an excellent collec- tion of pathological specimens and maintained a very high standard in teaching and original investigation. His successor is Dr B. G. Radden of the Dental School, University of Adelaide.
I retired as Dean on Slst December, 1967, and as Professor of Dental Medicine and Surgery on February 29th, 1968. My period of 34 years service has been a great personal privilege, and I owe much to the Univer- sity and to the many academic colleagues whom I have known for so many years. I particularly wish to express my appreciation to members of my own Department who have shared the heavy burden of teaching especially over the past few years.
Economics and Commerce (Dean: Professor W. Prest)
The Faculty's main problems during the year 1967 have been shortages of staff and accommodation. The staff shortage has resulted partly from the economies imposed by the seven per cent cut in budgeted expendi- ture and partly from the difficulty of recruiting qualified staff for some of the positions that were available. The accommodation shortage has result- ed mainly from the recent development of the Institute of Apphed Econ- omic Research and of the Department of Business Administration. With a full complement of staff, the position would be serious. It is most import- ant that the future work of the Faculty, particularly in these two fields which are both predominantly concemed with research or post-graduate studies, should not be inhibited by lack of finance or accommodation. In the past year therefore much of the time of senior members of the Faculty has been absorbed in the preparation of material for inclusion in the University's Submission to the A.U.C. for the 1970-72 triennium.
Despite the above difficulties, the Faculty's teaching has been main- tained at a high standard. The completion last year of the new Copland Theatre has, with some reorganization of timetables, permitted most of the Faculty's lectures to be accommodated in its own building. It has also been possible to reduce the size of some of the larger lecture classes.
The two new seminar rooms completed at the same time have also proved invaluable, particularly for honours and post-graduate classes.
In the past year the Faculty's building has continued to be used to capacity. Whilst the building can perhaps just cope with present require- ments, it will certainly be inadequate for the next triennium. In particular the proposed expansion of the Department of Business Administration and the Institute of Apphed Economic Research will necessitate accom- modation in excess of existing facihties.
The proposal currently under consideration is for a western extension to the present building, comprising a ground floor (part only because of the road passing beneath the upper floors) and four upper floors. This would accommodate the Faculty Office and the Department of Business Administration. The space thus released in the present building could then be occupied by the Giblin Library and the Institute of Apphed Economic Research.
Education (Dean: Professor A. G. Austin)
The Selection Committee found it necessary to reject the applications of 63 graduates of this university who sought entry to the Bachelor of Education course. Eventually places were found for all of them at Monash University but many took up these places at considerable inconvenience to themselves. As previously announced, all external tuition ceased at the end of the year and as no other Victorian university provides this service
750
A N N U A L R E P O R T
a substantial proportion of the teaching profession in this State is now without any means of pursuing advanced studies in Education.
The entire work of the Faculty was dominated this year by the finan- cial restrictions imposed throughout the university. The customary work of the Department of Education, the Education Research Office and the University Teaching Office (as reported in recent Annual Reports) was continued, but scarcely any new developments were undertaken. The planning of new developments continued, but as members of staff came to realize how little prospect there was of these plans materializing there was a growing sense of frustration. A Faculty of Education must be sensi- tive to the needs of the teaching profession, and the extensive changes taking place in the schools (not only in organization but also in curricu- lum and teaching methods) have resulted in a rising demand for new courses, for refresher courses and for Faculty participation in professional matters. This Faculty's inability to respond to these demands has been the most depressing aspect of this year's work; it is aheady leading to- wards a dangerous rift between the profession and the university.
Books and articles pubhshed and research undertaken are reported in full in the Research Report. Five candidates for M.Ed, were awarded passes; four members of staff and one full-time candidate are working for the degree of Ph.D.
Towards the end of the year the Dean of the Faculty was asked to assume responsibihty for the Audio-Visual Aids Department; in order to achieve this, a new unit within the Faculty has been created, consisting of the Audio-Visual Aids Department, the Education Research Office and the University Teaching Office. This unit is to be known as the Centre for the Study of Higher Education and will come into formal operation on 1 March 1968.
Engineering (Dean: Professor M. E. Hargreaves)
The number of undergraduate students in the Faculty (813) exceeded 800 in 1967 for the first time, following the high pass rates achieved in recent years and despite a reduction in the intake of students from tech- nical colleges under the block exemption scheme, which was necessary because of shortage of staff. The higher standard of students entering the Faculty because of the operation o f the quota is probably responsible for this trend. The number of post-graduate students remained high at 124.
The principal changes in courses were the expansion of Transport Engineering as a component in the civil engineering courses, the intro- duction of a new subject Engineering Materials E in the Department of Metallurgy as a service course for the Department of Electrical Engineer- ing and the division of the introductory subject in electrical engineering to provide a terminal subject, for those not taking the electrical engineering course, as well as a suitable subject for those specializing in this field. The mining industry has supplied funds for the estabhshment of a Lectureship in Rock Mechanics and courses in this field have been introduced into mining engineering courses in 3rd and 4th years.
The Austrahan Research Grants Committee again awarded grants for a number of projects in the Faculty and numerous other bodies supported the research programme.
Work commenced on the construction of a chemical engineering build-
ing in November, unfortunately to somewhat reduced plans, and it is hoped to occupy the building in September 1968.
Other relief from overcrowding is to occur late in 1968 as existing buildings in the University become available as temporary accommoda- tion to some departments. A house in Bouverie Street, Carlton was made available in November as temporary accommodation for some staff and research students of the Department of Civil Engineering.
Dr L. K. Stevens was appointed to a personal chair in Civil Engineer- ing in recognition of his outstanding work in structural engineering. Pro- fessor L. H. Van Vlack from the University of Michigan spent three months as visiting professor in the Department of Metallurgy.
Law (Dean: Professor H. A. J. Ford)
Undergraduates numbered 1266 and post-graduates enrolment reach- ed 13. Despite an unfavourable ratio of students to staff of more than 30 to 1, attempts have been made to provide conditions in which a student can have personal contact with his teachers for at least part of his course.
It has been possible to break down some first year classes into small groups in which the student is encouraged to make his mark as an indi- vidual. This effort has been at the expense of students in later years of the LL.B. course who in many instances have had the disadvantage of being in large classes.
The first stage of the new curriculum was introduced in the second year of the LL.B. course.
For the benefit of members of the legal profession the Faculty con- ducted a seminar on the Legal Aspects of Trade with New Zealand, arranged talks on Oil and Gas Law and conducted a full-day conference in conjunction with the Law Institute of Victoria at which papers were delivered on a number of topics of professional interest.
Members of the full-time staff provided various services to outside bodies such as examining for the University of Singapore Law School, research work for the Law Association for Asia and Western Pacific and for the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East.
The Law School continued to provide a secretariat for the Chief Justice's Law Reform Committee.
Members of the Faculty have continued to serve on the Council for Legal Education (including its Legal Education Committee controlling the Law Course conducted at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Tech- nology), the Chief Justice's Law Reform Committee, the Trade Commit- tee of the Law Council of Austraha and various other legal and education- al committees.
Medicine (Dean: Professor Sunderland)
As planned several years ago, the expansion of the medical school is now in progress. The intake of students into the first year of the course was increased to 220. Although 220 students will enter the second year of the course in 1968, the increased numbers will have to be housed in the old buildings since the new Medical Centre will not be ready for occupation until after the commencement of First Term.
The Austin Hospital was opened in November, 1967 as a third clinical school of this University and 17 students were admitted to that hospital
A N N U A L REPORT
to commence their clinical training. An appointment was made during the year to a Chair of Microbiology which is to be located at the Austin Hospital.
Agreements were concluded during the year with the Mercy Hospital and the Cancer Institute Board. The agreement with the Mercy Hospital will enable the additional students admitted to the course to be given instruction in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. As a result of the agreement with the Cancer Institute Board, the Peter MacCallum Clinic will be available as a special clinical school.
The curriculum committee has continued its deliberations and further changes were made to the first year of the course. One additional lecture per week in human behaviour was added to the subject of Biology. In 1968, students will be given an introduction to human anatomy in the first year of the course.
Amendments were made to the constitution of the Faculty and in addition to the inclusion of the Chairman of the Hospitals and Charities Commission and a representative of the Austrahan Medical Association (Victorian Branch) as members of Faculty, non-professorial members of staff have been given representation.
The high pass rates in each year of the course were maintained except in the first year. The lower pass rate in first year may be due, in part, to the increase in the numbers of first year students which resulted in a lower cut-off point at selection.
Research activities within the Faculty continued successfully but many research projects could not be maintained or commenced because of the lack of research funds. The amount of funds available to the Medical Research Committee to finance approved research projects fell short of requirements by more than $100,000. A continuing effort is needed to attract research funds to cover the basic research requirements of the departments within the Faculty.
Music (Dean: Professor G. F. Loughlin)
This year .40 first year students were admitted to the B.Mus. course and 30 were enrolled for Dip.Mus.
We record with deep regret the death of Mr Boris Stupel, who for many years had been a chief study teacher of Violin.
Resignations from the staff included Mr Valentine Woff, Miss Hermia Barton, Mr Adrian Bendall, Mr Jos de Groen and Mr Clifford Abbott.
Dr J. A. Steel resigned from the Faculty. New members of the staff are Mr Norman Weiner, Mr Phillip Miechel, Mr John Argall, Mr Max Neil, Mr John Schmidli, Mr Huw Jones and Mr Mervyn Callaghan.
Conservatorium Exhibitions and Scholarships continued to provide valuable assistance for students. The first annual commission to a resident Austrahan composer was awarded to Mr Nigel Butterley, through the generous grant of Mr Albert H. Maggs.
Concerts were given by the Conservatorium Choir and Orchestra at the end of second and fourth terms, when programmes included the Monteverdi Vespers, and Berlioz' "Lelio". In first and second terms con- certs were given by the Chamber Orchestra.
The Grainger Museum has developed as an important centre for the study of new music, and many new scores of twentieth century music
have been acquired. The presence of a curator regularly during the week has made it possible to develop interest in the Museum.
Post-graduate studies are being pursued by three students, two theses for the Master's Degree having recently been accepted.
Financial restrictions have severely limited additions to the Music Library, and serious inadequacies in accommodation and equipment provide great cause for concern. The Conservatorium was erected long before the days of modem sound proofing and air conditioning; it is not planned properly, and the installation of major equipment such as an organ is impracticable. Lack of space makes it impossible to contemplate the appointment of additional staff. Thus the immediate need is a new building and a minimum quantity of equipment to fulfil the requirement of a modern Music School. It is sincerely hoped that this can be made available in the 1970-72 triennium.
Science (Acting Dean: Professor J. S. Turner)
On 12th December 1966, Heads of Departments of the University were informed that, in order to reduce expenditure within the limits of income available, it would be necessary to impose a seven per cent cut in the com- bined total of salaries and departmental vote. Early in 1967 it became clear that this was not the most serious cut for Science departments, as the basic grant for research would also need to be cut by 50 per cent. As the Science Faculty had the largest number of post-graduate students, it was the most seriously affected. Moreover it now appears that the need to improve the staff/student ratio at the undergraduate level in many facul- ties has necessitated a change of University pohcy in regard to post- graduate expansion. It is hoped that this change is only temporary and that in the next triennium it will be possible to resume the building of a strong post-graduate school in the Faculty of Science. The Faculty has (with others) been driven to abandon its former policy of allowing stu- dents to work over two years (on small grants) for the M.Sc. degree, but perhaps this has had one advantage—the strengthening of the Honours courses in Science. If, as expected, these continue to expand in numbers, there will need to be a revision of the staff/student ratio in the Faculty.
All departments suffered this year from the financial cuts, but some more severely than others. One that might be singled out is Geophysics.
Due to the inability to fill the vacant position of assistant lecturer, the Reader-in-Charge was left with no help in the supervision of laboratory classes and no relief lecturer.
Difficulties also arise in staffing and accommodation as the result of changing student interests. For instance, the number of students wishing to take Biochemistry II exceeds the quota. If these students are to be accommodated in the subject of their choice, either the quota must be increased or a new subject, Biochemistry IIB, estabhshed. Either change requires additional funds.
In his report for 1966 Professor Hopper, then Dean of Science, report- ed in full on a radical innovation, for which he was largely responsible—
the institution of the B.Sc. (Ed.) course, estabhshed with the full and friendly co-operation of the State Department of Education. This will incorporate the new point-score scheme for the B.Sc, but it is a four-year course involving the co-operation of Science and Education facihties of
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the University, the staff and facilities of the Secondary Teachers' Training College and the State Department of Education.
This new course started with 91 students in 1967, who were for the most part taught in the Secondary Teachers' College at standards satis- factory to the Faculty. During the year it became clear that there would be considerable problems associated with later years of the course—so much so that serious doubts were entertained as to the possibility of retaining this new degree course. One of the Associate Deans, Professor A.
Buchanan, has been most active, with senior officers of the Department of Education, in surmounting most of these difficulties. The course will go on, but undoubtedly further financial assistance will be needed. Faculty is insistent that such help should not be to the detriment of existing de- partments of the University. The future of Science and its value to the community depends so much on the provision of Science teachers that it will be a tragedy if resources cannot be found to keep this most important development ahve.
Details were completed during the year of the point score scheme for the new Bachelor of Science regulation and the scheme will officially come into action in 1968. It will need a few years to test, but already it is clear that radical revision of the time-tables and some duplication of lectures will be necessary to provide the full advantages possible.
There is little doubt that the Faculty of Science suffers from the lack of a full-time Dean and an appropriately staffed office. It has been stand- ard practice to nominate Professors of departments as Deans. This system broke down at the end of 1966 when the Dean for the previous three years wished to resign due to pressure of departmental and RAAF Acad- emy duties, but was unable to find a professor willing to accept the posi- tion. The Dean reluctantly agreed to carry on for a further six months and Faculty is deeply grateful for all the work he did on its behalf. EventuaUy, however, he found it necessary to resign. As senior professor on the Fac- ulty I then became Acting Dean. I have aheady served a term as Dean and was acting in other administrative capacities, and I found it necessary to seek assistance from my colleagues. This was readily agreed to, and Professors Buchanan, Mohr, Wilhams and Hird have been acting as Associate Deans, each deahng with special Faculty matters. This system works well as a retaining operation, but only a full-time Dean, relieved of other responsibihties, can lead the Faculty towards its full stature. Faculty therefore strongly recommended that a first priority for the next triennium should be the inclusion of funds for a full-time Dean of Science.
As drastic change of pohcy is also needed in the Sub-Dean's office. It has been the previous pohcy for the Sub-Dean to be a teaching member of staff of a department of Faculty and to cover his Sub-Dean's duties as an additional chore. This has become virtually impossible. There is only one full-time member on the academic staff of the Faculty Office—the Assistant Sub-Dean (Miss Eunice McKenzie), but the Sub-Dean (Mr Malcolm Hill) also spends a great proportion of his time in the office, and we all appreciate the sacrifices that the Sub-Dean and his staff make for Faculty. In 1967 an additional burden fell on the Sub-Dean and his staff due to the resignation of Mr D. B. Miller, the secretary of the Fac- ulty. Mr Miller had carried out a difficult task with great credit for several
years, and his full value was not appreciated by some until after his departure.
Over the past few years a new liveliness has been imparted to the individual Science departments by the large body of post-graduates.
Faculty welcomes the formation of the active Melboume University Research Students' Association and the closer co-operation between staff and research students.
I acknowledge gratefully the assistance of the former Dean, Professor V. Hopper, and of the four Associate Deans in the work that they have done for the Faculty and in the preparation of this report.
Veterinary Science (Dean: Professor D. C. Blood)
All of the developmental projects for the School were completed dur- ing 1967 in time for the graduation of the first fifth year class on 16th December. At the Conferring Ceremony honorary degrees were conferred on two eminent veterinarians. Dr L. B. Bull, past Chief of the Division of Animal Health, was awarded an LL.D. {honoris causa) and Professor I. J. Cunningham, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Massey University, New Zealand, received the degree of D.V.Sc. Thirty-eight students graduated, nine of them with honours degrees.
On 26th November the Veterinary Clinical Centre, Werribee, was officially opened by the Premier in the presence of the Deputy Chancellor and about 300 guests. W. T. Kendall Hall, the hall of residence for fourth and fifth year students in the School, was completed in July and stage three of the hospital, the Pathology block and the lecture theatres were completed in September.
Undergraduates in the School numbered 220 and teaching in all five years of the course was presented for the first time. Chnical instruction was greatly aided by the very rapid increase in the number of sick and injured animals attended in the Clinic and Hospital. The target for chnical accessions aimed at by the fifth year of operation was achieved by the end of the second year. The number of students and staff registered for gradu- ate degrees increased from 13 to 19. Almost all of the funds supporting research students and their projects came from sources outside the Univer- sity but there were indications that this income is likely to be reduced in the near future, especially that from the agricultural industries' research funds. Unless other sources of financial support are found it will be neces- sary to limit our numbers of graduate students to less than originally intended.
6. The Library
Increased allocations of pubhc funds on the scale hoped for in the first year of a new financial triennium did not materialize and the depletion of private funds necessitated a reduction in Library book purchases to 25,307 as compared with 36,741 in 1966.
Although the branch of the Library which serves the Faculty of Medi- cine received an increase in staff and was, therefore, not affected by staff retrenchments, the Library otherwise contributed a saving to the Univer- sity budget of over $10,000 by reducing a staff aheady numerically defici- ent in comparison with the staffing standards generally obtaining in university libraries.
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As in previous years, the demands on the services provided by the Library staff, including the demands of other universities and colleges in the Melboume area, continued to increase substantially.
7. Research
Nineteen sixty-seven will be recalled by members of the Standing Re- search Committee of the Professorial Board as a troubled year in the research sector of the University. The year began on a note of financial anxiety which was not relieved until very close to Christmas. As the year developed, frequent attempts were made to divert funds into research activities and on each occasion a new set of budgets would be called for and much valuable time was absorbed by the drafting exercises and the accompanying discussions.
The original anxiety was caused by lack of agreement between the Commonwealth and State Governments concerning the method of pro- viding finance for research. The Commonwealth Govemment felt that the Australian Research Grants Committee should be given priority at the expense of the Australian Universities Commission, so far as the support of research was concemed. The Victorian State Govemment felt that the Australian Research Grants Committee was a purely Commonwealth organization, set up by the Commonwealth without consultations with states or universities and deahng only with individual projects and not with post-graduate training. It therefore refused to pay its proposed share of the Australian Research Grants Committee money but offered support for Australian Universities Commission research recommendations. The Commonwealth, therefore, refused to provide its share of the Australian Universities Commission research grant and the University received only the State contribution.
The Austrahan Universities Commission in its recommendations for 1967-8-9 had suggested $1,800,000 for research at the University of Mel- bourne but early discussions between Commonwealth and State Treasur- ies had reduced this to $1,080,000 and, after the difference of opinion described above, the research income derived under the auspices of the Austrahan Universities Commission had dechned from the originally hoped-for $1,800,000 to $540,000 for the triennium.
The Council decided that while new sources of research finance were being investigated, two procedures should be adopted—research grants to students should be offered for only nine months in the first instance and the Standing Research Committee should be allowed to budget for a deficit in 1967 and arrange for a balanced budget over the triennium 1967-69.
As the year progressed the Council was able, from its own budget through savings in various directions, to make more money available for research and as a result of this the anticipated deficit of $183,000 was reduced to approximately $87,000 and research grants to students were continued for the full 12 months. At the end of the year the Victorian Govemment came to the rescue for 1968 and 1969 with the promise of an extra $100,000 for research in 1968 and $150,000 in 1969. Because of this it was possible to offer new research grants to students (72 for 1968 as com- pared with 151 for 1967). Before obtaining the various additional amounts it was feared that University of Melbourne Research Grants would have
to be discontinued once the current holders had been supported to the end of the minimum period for obtaining the degree for which they were enrolled in 1967.
It is hoped that in future triennia enough money will be obtained under the heading of "recurrent grant" to enable the University to support post-graduate training adequately, without relying as much as in the past on special allocations. The submission to the Austrahan Universities Com- mission for 1970-72 includes provision for this purpose.
Because the financial crisis at the beginning of 1967 became apparent after students had made plans for their future, and Council did not wish to cause hardship, the numbers of those enrolled for post-graduate degrees rose from 1,140 in 1966 to 1,294 in 1967. The 1,294 was made up as follows:
Ph.D. students —Full-time 273, Part-time 136, Total 409.
Master students—Full-time 457, Part-time 428, Total 885.
The number supported by grants and scholarships from University funds rose from 244 to 298 (it is now expected that for 1968 this number will be 171). Eighty new Commonwealth Postgraduate Awards were obtained for 1967 and the number holding such Awards rose to 178. It was disappointing to leam, at the end of 1967, that the University of Mel- bourne's allocation of Commonwealth Postgraduate Awards would remain at 80, but pleasant to find that, because of the policy of granting such awards only to those who were likely to hold them for more than one year, the number actually holding awards in 1968 will probably be over 200.
Fears having been expressed in certain quarters in Canberra that the expansion of post-graduate numbers had caused a fall in quality of stu- dents, a survey was made at the beginning of 1967 of the entrance quah- fications of all candidates for higher degrees. The average proved to be extremely high in this University. The standard of research carried out can probably best be judged by the rapidly rising numbers of Ph.D.
degrees awarded (all of which are examined externally, the majority by overseas examiners who are leading figures in their disciphnes) and by the substantial growth of research pubhcations, as recorded in the Annual Research Report of the University.
8. Buildings
The completion of the 1964/66 triennium saw a quiet period of build- ing during the early part of 1967 with only the major project of the Medi- cal Centre and the Union Building left over from the 1964/66 triennium.
The A.U.C. had given pre-planning authority for the 1967/69 triennium for the Arts Building and the Veterinary Science Chnical Centre at Werribee. Unfortunately after some early problems with design, the Arts Building has not proceeded as well as we would have hoped. The sketch plans were forwarded to the A.U.C. early in 1967, but some aspects of the projects have not been satisfactory to them and the University is still negotiating for approval. Work proceeded, however, on the Veterinary Science Clinical Centre at Werribee. The Kendall Hall of Residence was completed ahead of schedule in July, 1967, and the academic buildings were also completed in time for the official opening by the Premier of the Clinical Centre in November.
758
ANNUAL REPORT
Completion of the Medical Centre was expected before first term 1968 but the building has been delayed and completion is expected in March or April of 1968. The old Medical Buildings in the north-east comer of the grounds will be demolished in late 1968 or early 1969 to enable site diversions and excavations to commence for the new Physics and Related Sciences complex.
The Chemical Engineering building for which grants are available in the 1964/66 triennium and the 1967/69 triennium was commenced in late 1967 after an unavoidable reduction in size because of adverse ten- ders. It is now expected to be completed by the end of 1968.
After an unhappy period of some years without proper facilities, stu- dents were able to move back into the basement and ground floor of the new Union Building in January, 1968. The first floor of the building will be available by 1st March, 1968, and the present stage completed with two floors of the new tower block by 1st August, 1968.
The University administration after many years of separation and dis- persion throughout the campus will be able to move into its new building to the north of Wilson Hall by February, 1969. The building commenced in November, 1967, and is proceeding to schedule. The erection wiU
enable the demohtion of the present Accounts building and the construc- tion of a new courtyard between the Administration building and Wilson Hall.
Re-construction of the Law School is proceeding in stages in order not to disrupt the operation of the building. An additional storey has been constructed on the Old Students' Records Wing which will become the central portion of the Law Library. Construction of two Case Theatres for Law is expected to commence mid-1968, and be completed early in 1969. Air-conditioning of the Law Library will be carried out over the long vacation 1968/69 and refurbishing of the areas vacated by the Administration during 1969.
A new Council Chamber to be built across the south side of the quadrangle will fill a long standing need for an adequate room for Council and Professorial Board meetings.
Tenders were called for at the end of January, 1968 for the next stage of the extensions to the Baillieu Library. This will provide additional reading area by filling in the south-west comer of the Library and commence a new tower at the north end of the Library, principally for book stacks. This north extension means the transfer of the Applied Psychology hut and the demolition of "Bushey", the last professorial house along Professors' Road. The extensions are planned to be com- pleted by the end of 1969.
Extensions to University House, assisted by a grant from the A.U.C, are expected to commence in mid-1968 and will provide additional dining accommodation for the house. Minor works for alterations and additional space in Chemistry, Botany and Physical Education are proceeding and will be completed early in 1969.
At Mt. Derrimut construction is proceeding for additions to student accommodation by way of two wings onto the main residential block.
An A.U.C. grant is also available to construct an Animal Husbandry Project laboratory and a Biology laboratory at Mt. Derrimut plus some necessary road works.
An extensive teaching hospital building programme is also in progress.
At Royal Melboume Hospital a number of relatively small works are being undertaken including the commencement of a new lecture theatre block. At St. Vincent's Hospital a new building to accommodate Univer- sity departments is under construction and is expected to be completed before the end of 1968 plus extensions to the residential section also to be completed before the end of 1968.
At the Austin Hospital construction will be completed in April of the Student Teaching Building which will accommodate the University de- partments at the Austin Hospital for the next three years, until the con- struction is completed of a new University building in conjunction with the first stage of the re-development of the Austin Hospital. Upon comple- tion of the new building, the Student Teaching Building will be converted to residential accommodation for students. At the Eye & Ear Hospital, funds are available for a floor in the new Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hos- pital building to accommodate the Department of Ophthalmology. This work is expected to commence towards the end of 1968. At the Mercy Hospital, a grant has been provided by the A.U.C. to provide teaching facilities and a Professorial Unit within the building now under construc- tion and which is anticipated to be completed in 1971.
The Carlton re-development scheme has been very much under con- sideration in 1967. The University is awaiting the report of the joint Committee of the Housing Commission and the Melboume City Council and approaches are being made to the Australian Universities' Commis- sion for its support in purchase of land. The University has proceeded with the purchase of some property in the block bounded by Swanston, Faraday, Cardigan and Elgin Streets as funds become available and the houses purchased are now being used for Small University Departments.
A co-operative has been estabhshed, with some University staff as directors, to develop a staff housing scheme on the Cross St. site. This could incorporate some student housing.
9. Finance
The Finance Section of the 1966 Annual Report set out the very serious financial situation which faced the University following the announcement of the amounts of recurring income approved by the Commonwealth and State governments for the 1967-69 triennium.
The Australian Universities Commission, after examining the needs of the universities, had recommended that Melboume University should receive recurrent income of $47,824,000 over this triennium.
But the amount approved by the two governments and included in the Universities (Financial Assistance) Act was $45,500,000, or $2,324,000 less than the recurrent income recommended by the A.U.C.
The University had ended the 1964-1966 triennium with General Fund expenditure significantly above the level of income.
After allowing for increments in salaries, estimated basic wage and margins increases for non-academic staff, promotions, additional costs of positions created during 1966, increased expenditure resulting from the expansion of the Medical Faculty and teaching in Veterinary Science, and normal rises in costs, the increase in estimated General Fund expenditure
A N N U A L REPORT
for 1967 greatly exceeded the increased recurrent income provided under the Act.
Following discussions with the Premier and the Director of Finance, the State Govemment agreed that the University's recurrent income would be increased by approximately $400,000 in each year of the 1967-9 triennium.
Even with the increased income and after allowing for normal salary savings in established positions, it was clear that the University's General Fund would incur a substantial deficit in 1967 and in later years of the triennium.
The University Council, therefore, was forced to reduce the level of estimated expenditure.
In order to spread the reduction as evenly as possible among all de- partments, it was decided that the savings requirement for each depart- ment should be based on the total of:
( a ) the estimated 1967 salaries for all positions on the department's establishment at October, 1966;
( b ) the department's allowance for part-time staff at the 1966 level;
(c) the department's overtime allowance;
( d ) the departmental recurring vote for running expenses, at the 1966 level.
After allowing for resulting savings in other items of expenditure (e.g. superannuation contributions, payroll tax, advertising), it was de- cided that each department should be required to make savings of seven per cent of the total of the departmental "full-estabhshment" budgets for the items set out in the previous paragraph.
Provision was made for departments to plan their savings on a triennial basis and, subject to approval, to vary the incidence of the triennial sav- ings total as between the years 1967, 1968 and 1969.
In view of the differing circumstances of the various departments, particularly in relation to existing vacancies, it was decided to ask each Head of Department to present detailed proposals for achieving the savings required in the total budget for his department.
Of the savings originally proposed for academic departments, almost two-thirds were expected to result from keeping positions vacant. Just under 100 full-time academic positions were expected to be kept vacant for all or part of 1967.
Twelve per cent of the proposed savings were to be achieved by the filling of vacancies by appointments at lower salary levels.
In some cases, Heads of Departments were not able to meet the full savings targets in these ways, and found it necessary to make their savings on the departmental allowances for running expenses and for part-time teaching. The savings planned on these items amounted to over 14 per cent of the total allowances for part-time teaching and over nine per cent of the total recurring departmental votes.
Although it was clear by March, 1967 that these drastic measures would enable the University to keep General Fund expenditure within the limits of available income, the reduction in the level of govemment grants which had been expected to be available to the Standing Research Committee caused great anxiety concerning the financing of the Univer-
sity's post-graduate training programme. This has been discussed more fully in Section 7 of the Report.
Decisions of the Commonwealth Arbitration Commission during 1967 enabled the University to free for other use part of the funds which had been reserved to meet the estimated cost of basic wage and margins increases for non-academic staff. Periodical budget reviews showed that some items of expenditure would be reduced further as a consequence of the salary savings proposed by Heads of Departments.
As a result of these factors, it was possible to provide a special grant of
$110,000 to reduce the 1967 deficit in the funds of the Standing Research Committee, an appropriation of $20,000 to reduce the accumulated Gen- eral Fund deficit, and smaU additional grants for the purchase of books and apparatus and for the maintenance of buildings.
At the time the original decision was taken to reduce estimated ex- penditure for the years 1967 to 1969, Heads of Departments were encour- aged, to plan savings on a triennial basis. In a number of cases, as a result of unexpected vacancies, departments have made higher savings than were originally planned for 1967. These additional savings have been carried forward in a separate account to meet the balances of the total amounts which the departments concemed will be required to save over the whole triennium.
During the year, the Commonwealth and State Governments agreed to provide additional funds to enable academic salary scales in all Aus- trahan universities to be increased from 1st July, 1967. The increases ranged from 15.38 per cent for professors to 12.5 per cent for tutors. The University's recurrent income for 1967 was raised by $545,000 to meet the additional costs involved.
As a result of the assistance of the State Govemment, and the co- operation of Heads of Departments and members of staff in achieving savings in departmental budgets, it has been possible to keep General Fund expenditure within the limits of income available in 1967.
But in many cases these savings have been achieved only at the cost of increases in staff work loads, increases in the number of students in tutorial classes, reduction in the amount of teaching given to students and sacrifices of planned developments. As was stated in last year's report, if these standards of stringency continue indefinitely Melbourne may gradu- aUy lose its reputation of being a university of high academic merit.
During 1967 the Council, the Professorial Board and their committees have been engaged in preparing the submission to the Australian Univer- sities Commission for the 1970-1972 triennium.
In the preparation of this submission, great emphasis has been placed on the need for funds to remedy existing deficiencies, and particularly those which have been accentuated by the savings which had to be introduced in 1967, and which unfortunately appear likely to continue through the current triennium.
10. Student Affairs and the Union
It was heartening throughout 1967 to be able to see the shape of the new Union House rising above ground level and, although throughout the whole of the year students were deprived of fuU facilities for extra-cur- ricular interests, the obvious prospect of better accommodation stimulated
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their various activities. Unfortunately towards the end of the year it was leamed that final quotes for the tower floors exceeded considerably the preliminary estimates. Planning and construction of the lower floors had already proceeded beyond possible amendment in expectation of the tower floors becoming available and extended overdraft facihties were successfully negotiated with the National Bank. Stringent economies were introduced in the administration of the Union as a result of which it now appears that the whole of the new building will be completed by the end of Second Term 1968, but some areas will not be appropriately furnished and equipped until a later date.
During the year the Warden, Mr J. D. Sinclair-Wilson, tendered notice of resignation of his appointment with effect from January 1968, and the Union Board of Directors, taking into account the retirement of the Union Manager, Mr Carswell, in 1966 together with the prospect of larger prem- ises to be controlled in the future, reviewed in detail the administrative structure of the Union. In June, the Union Board appointed to the new position of Secretary/Manager Mr Ron Field, previously Theatre Manager and Activities Officer, who had recently returned from one year's study leave with the University of Cahfornia Union. Mr David Gourlay, a Glasgow graduate, has been appointed Warden of the Union from Febru- ary 1968.
The year 1967 saw several changes in the membership of the Union Board of Directors with the retirement from office of various graduates who had served unselfishly for several years throughout the preliminary planning and supervision of the rebuilding project: Professor Downing, as Chairman, had withdrawn at the end of 1966 and was replaced in the Chair by Mr Charles Coppel who resigned in December 1967, as did Mr Nicholas O'NeiU. Honorary hfe memberships of the Union have been conferred on Professor Downing and Messrs Sinclair-Wilson, Coppel, O'Neill and Carswell in appreciation of their past services.
The Constitution of the Union has been amended with approval of Council so that in future the Union Board will include for the first time two directors democraticaUy elected by members, one being elected in each year for a two year period. Previously membership of the Union Board was entirely ex officio or by co-option.
One particular area of the new building scheduled for early completion is the remodelled and improved Union Theatre. The plans also include provision for a smaller theatrette with stage and cinema facihties and it is proposed that the Union Theatre should accommodate throughout the whole of the year a variety of professional companies as well as the major University productions and that the theatrette should be used for the lesser or more experimental student theatrical activities. Mr R. F. Hasek- Anderson was appointed Theatres Manager with effect from 1st Septem- ber 1967, and programmes in both venues have now been arranged by him as indicated for 1968. The theatrette furnishing and equipment has been adopted by the Town and Gown Guild as its project and further cash donations were received from the Guild for this purpose through- out 1967.
A most welcome feature of student activity generaUy in 1967 was the return of Prosh, a high spirited week of appeal for civic charities towards the end of Second Term; Prosh had not been held in Melboume in any of
the preceding three years and its success in 1967 deserved for its organ- izers and its hundreds of student participants much credit.
The Union Council, an entirely student body which administers the affairs of affihated clubs and societies, met frequently and carried out its responsibihties efficiently as reflected in the large number and range of successful activities; outstanding among these were Debates, Forum Din- ners and Union Nights. The Intemational Club sponsored in June a con- centrated week of events under the title "Spothght on the U.S.S.R." and the M.U. Choral Society won the honour or being invited to perform in February 1969 at the Lincoln Arts Center, New York. Six clubs or societies were disaffiliated in 1967, principally because of non-activity or inade- quate membership and six new clubs and societies were affihated during the year.
11. University Sport
Nineteen sixty-seven was an important year for the Sports Union and Recreation Grounds Committee. The first two sections of a new building which aims at improving the sporting facihties for students and staff within the University were opened and occupied. The six squash courts which were used for the first time late in July have been a huge success.
Usage by all sections of the University has been so great that it is very hard to meet the demand. Also the Sports Union has an administration centre of its own for the first time in its history.
Patronage of the squash courts, swimming pool and the Beaurepaire Centre, indicates greater use of sporting and recreation facihties by all sections of the University.
In Inter-Varsity competitions Melboume again won more contests than any other university while in local competitions our teams won many honours.
A feature of Austrahan university sport in 1967 was the participation by an Austrahan universities team for the first time in the World Univer- sity Games, Universiade in Tokyo.
Melboume University had 10 competing representatives in the team while the Secretary of the Sports Union, Mr W. K. Tickner, represented the Australian Universities Sports Union as its delegate to the World Assembly of the Federation of Intemational Sports Unions.
12. The Graduate Union
Failure of the Graduate House Stage III project to secure the govern- ment finance recommended by the Australian Universities Commission has meant deferment of the proposed increase in Graduate House ac- commodation to 43 study-bedrooms. It has also caused postponement of the substantial increase in the amenities planned for Graduate Union members when they visit Graduate House.
However, late in the year, the Graduate Council decided to purchase as an investment four houses in Grattan Street, closely adjacent to its Leicester Street property. The purchase was completed in December for
$36,000. Renovation of three houses will provide six flats, unfurnished, for young married post-graduates. Renovations will cost an extra $4,000.
The total property holdings of the Graduate Union are now valued at
$162,000, of which $62,000 is owed on first mortgage to the University.
Repayment is expected to take 15 years.
