/

PROPOSAL FOR A MURDOCH UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AT PEEL

/ Item No.
5
Report to Senate meeting of / 25 May 2003 / From: / Vice Chancellor
Purpose
To seek Senate approval for a strategic presence in the Peel Region.
Background and summary
The proposal is to establish a campus, co-located with Challenger TAFE and Mandurah Senior College, at Mandurah in the Peel region of Western Australia.
There is no university presence in the region, and apart from the delivery of three Murdoch introductory or bridging courses in the TAFE facilities, no university courses are delivered locally. Transport problems, relatively low career aspirations, no family history of university education, and lack of a physical university presence have militated against any increase in participation in the past. Murdoch University intends to change thisby establishing a presence in the area, by providing alternative entry pathways in collaboration with TAFE and the Senior College, by promoting the opportunities of university education to prospective students, and by developing a sense of ownership and pride by engaging with the local community.
The proposed campus will contain a University Learning Centre linked by modern communications technology to the University’s other sites at Rockingham and Murdoch. The University has already been granted $2.5million from the Commonwealth Government as the first stage in establishing the Centre. Post 2008, as demand grows, the facilities will be expanded to accommodate a projected enrolment of approximately 2000 effective full-time students in the first quarter of this century.
The initial courses will include Nursing, Pharmacy and Psychology. Subject to sufficient demand, a series of short courses and postgraduate training programs will also be available. Courses will be designed in collaboration with Challenger TAFE and Mandurah Senior College to enable students to move to and from university courses with credit.
Issues and alternatives considered
  • No significant presence in Peel. This would open the door for other Universities to establish themselves in the area to compete with, rather than to complement the University’s Rockingham campus.
  • Limit the Peel development to a study center for off-campus courses. This option would not be suited to most students in the area, nor to courses that require laboratory or hands-on learning. A high proportion of face to face learning, supplemented by electronic and paper based teaching material is required.
  • Postpone a Peel campus for six years until the Rockingham campus is more developed. The external funding environment is very favorable for a greater presence at Peel. The Commonwealth has granted the University $2.5million as stage 1 in establishing buildings, and the University can bid for new Commonwealth priority student places in nursing, which is the initial course offering. In addition, the Commonwealth will provide a 5% loading for regional student places. The University needs to signal its commitment to the region by establishing a campus, or forfeit the opportunity to competitors.

Linkage to the University’s Strategic Plan
Goal 4: To engage with communities in the Rockingham/ Peel/ Kwinana area in order to increase the participation rate in university education and to add value to the local community through relevant research and educational initiatives.
Target: By the end of 2005, to establish a University Learning Centre, co-located with Mandurah Senior College and Challenger TAFE at Peel, with telecommunications links to the Rockingham and Murdoch campuses.
Since 1993 the University has signaled its intention of offering courses in the Peel region, after the Rockingham campus was established.
Risk management
  • Financial risk: to commence operation in 2005 we must commit to a building program in July 2003, before the University knows the outcome of funding submissions (December 2003). This risk can be managed by modular building design to match the funds, and by careful planning of cash flow.
  • Legal risk: issues associated with sharing one site with two partners from different education sectors are potentially risky. The risk can be managed by fostering good relationships between the partners and by anticipating and resolving potential legal problems well in advance.
  • Strategic risk: In the long term the Peel region will be a major population center. If the University does not proceed, competitors will establish themselves in the area, and draw some students away from the Rockingham campus.
  • Operational risk: difficulties in recruiting high quality staff and/or students in sufficient number for viability. This risk can be managed by establishing high quality facilities, good work and study conditions, and effective marketing.

Who has been consulted
The proposal was developed by a steering committee, comprising:
Professor Kateryna Longley, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Regional Development)
Professor Jeff Gawthorne, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor Jan Thomas, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
Professor Jim Reynoldson, Acting Executive Dean, Health Sciences
Ms Gaye McMath, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Resource Management)
Mr Alan McGregor, Director, Office of Facilities Management
Mr Peter Crook, Director, Commercial Development
Within the University - Academic Council (for nursing course approval), all Executive Deans, Managing Director (Marketing & International).
External to the University – representatives of Mandurah Senior College, Challenger TAFE, Peel Development Commission, and City of Mandurah.
Further information available:
A detailed case in support was distributed to Senators at the April meeting of Senate. Additional copies are available from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
Person to contact if a Senator wishes to obtain further information or to discuss the matter before the meeting
Name
Professor Jeff Gawthorne / PositionDeputy Vice-Chancellor / Telephone number9360 2592 / Email address

Recommendation
That Senate resolve to approve that:
(a)subject to Commonwealth funding, the University have a strategic presence in the Peel Region, offering units and courses at the Peel Education and TAFE Campus in Mandurah, with the long-term objective of having a substantial operation at that site.
(b) the Vice-Chancellor be authorised to discuss with the relevant authorities a new name for the shared campus that gives appropriate recognition to the presence of Murdoch University.