Transition update: College of Nursing and Health SciencesWelcome to the second edition of the monthly Nursing and Health Sciences College newsletter. This complements the Synergy newsletters, which have already been distributed. This newsletter is one of the ways of sharing information about the developments and transition processes associated with moving to our new college structure. It will also be an opportunity to provide you with information on:
Recruitment updateThe following additional positions have been filled in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences:
Positions yet to be filled include:
The College Transition TeamWho are we?The members of the Transition Team are:
The College Transition Team will incorporate additional staff members as new appointments are made as required from time to time. It is expected that the Transition Team will be disestablished by 31 December 2017 unless otherwise directed. The College Transition Team reports to the central College Implementation Steering Group which is chaired by Professor Clare Pollock, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). What is our role?The role of the College Transition Team is to assist with the planning and implementation of the new college structure. This will involve working to the directions set by the central College Implementation Steering Group, as well as listening to any issues or concerns raised by staff that may affect the successful transition to the new college structure. What are we doing?The Transition Team has identified College Teaching Programs, the grouping of our courses and topics with a responsibility to look for new teaching areas or collaborations. This has been undertaken in consultation with staff in each of the current Schools. This information is being presented to the central College Implementation Steering Group for endorsement before being sent to the Vice-Chancellor for approval. Teaching Programs will each have a Director who will work with course coordinators, teaching staff and topic coordinators, as well as the Dean (Education). In conjunction, the University has developed a role description for Teaching Program Directors and expressions of interest will be sought for these roles once the Teaching Programs have been confirmed. We are now looking at operational details to ensure a smooth transition to the new college structure and at appropriate academic structures and committees within the College to support all education and research related activities. At future meetings, we will also look at possible ways to organise the research of the College. We have also been considering changes being made at central University level and how we can ensure their smooth implementation. For example, the Office of Graduate Research is developing new administrative roles for HDR work and our transition team is considering the academic support needed. The University has developed a role description for RHD Coordinators in consultation with key staff and expressions of interest will now be sought for an RHD Coordinator in each college. We are keen to hear from you and welcome your ideas and input on how we can do things differently or creatively that will enable us to stand out from other Universities, whilst increasing teaching efficiency. You are encouraged to talk to any member of the Transition Team or you can email your ideas or suggestions to the Transition Team via renee.cannon@flinders.edu.au or 2025@flinders.edu.au Developments in the Professional Services Project (PSP)Professor Pollock gave an update on next stages in the PSP in one of her recent all-staff emails. They are as follows: Stage 1- July to September 2017An initial group of professional services areas will move to align their processes with the new college structure, namely People and Culture, Finance and Procurement Services and Information and Digital Services. Stage 2 - September until November 2017Other professional services areas will move into alignment including Buildings & Property, Library Services, the Office of Communications & Engagement, the Integrity, Governance & Risk Division, and the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International). This stage will also include improvements in the broad areas of College Operations (including customer service, administration and executive support), Student and Teaching Support, and Research Support (including graduate research support). Stage 3 – November 2017 through 2018By this time the new organisational structure will have settled. However, there will still be more to do to improve the way we work. During this stage the new organisational structure will be further refined and there will be a focus on business improvements (including technological improvements and automation). Also at this time the work of co-locating of staff and further improving College service areas will begin, as will a review of our remote and regional facilities. For more information, please visit The 2025 Agenda – Achieving our vision webpage. College Operations Team LeadersThe Heads of College Services will be supported by a new position in each College: that of College Operations Team Leader. The Operations Team Leader will oversee the frontline professional staff in Colleges, take a lead role in delivering improvement initiatives, and will deputise for the Head of Colleges Services when required. College officeOur College Office will be at the current School of Nursing Reception, Sturt North. Arrangements for location of professional staff in each College will be slightly different and will be communicated through College newsletters. Student communicationsIn January this year, Professor Pollock informed students of the plan to implement a new College structure at the University from July 2017. Since then, students have been reassured that this change will not affect their enrolment or the teaching of their courses in second semester. Students will be given access to a simple online search tool, to identify which College their Course has been allocated to and view the updated contact details for online, phone and face-to-face College support services. They will have access to answers for a range of frequently asked questions about the new College structure on Ask Flinders, which will provide further clarity on the changes that will occur. Students will also be informed of the opening of the new College offices, and will be provided with maps showing their locations. As the year progresses, we will implement further changes to signage and wayfinding across the University. Student Ambassadors will be temporarily assigned to help students find their way to key locations. Some study material will still refer to faculties and schools after July 1, these references will be updated over the course of Semester 2. College transition and supportTo assist with practical information for transition and beyond, an online support guide in the form of a website has been developed. Now live, the website will frequently refresh and iterate based on staff feedback. The College Support Guide provides the latest information on policies, business systems, delegations and cost centre codes. If you have any questions about the operational areas referred to on this page or wish to see additional information made available you can provide feedback online or email psp@flinders.edu.au There is also a staff services directory that provides a searchable guide to accessing the various professional services available to you as a staff member. The People and Contacts section lists key people for each college, including the College Vice President and Executive Dean and members of the College leadership and transition teams. This is being updated as additional appointments are made. Key questions asked by staffThe College Support Guide web page will answer many operational questions. Information regarding frequently asked questions about the transition to the new College structure is also available on the The 2025 Agenda – Achieving our vision webpage. As the design of the College Service Teams and other College transition activities continue throughout 2017, there will be further updates from either the Transition Team or Project staff. We would encourage you to communicate your questions and feedback to the College’s Transition Team by emailing: renee.cannon@flinders.edu.au or 2025@flinders.edu.au College forumsThe first College of Nursing and Health Sciences Forum was held on 29 May. Thank you to all participants for your helpful feedback and questions. The next Nursing and Health Sciences College Forum will be held on Friday, 30 June at 2 pm in Sturt Lecture Theatre N335. The Forum will be another opportunity for an update on progress towards the new College and for an open exchange of questions and answers. I will chair the Forum, with support from other members of the College Transition Team. If you prefer, you can submit questions to the Forum in advance by sending them to: sonm.dean@flinders.edu.au . Staying connectedAs well as keeping you up to date through communication with members of the College Transition Team, you can also keep up to date by visiting The 2025 Agenda – Achieving our vision webpage. At any time throughout this process you can also ask questions or provide feedback to 2025@flinders.edu.au. If you need further clarity on any of The 2025 Agenda initiatives, you are encouraged to speak with your supervisor or Senior HR Advisor. If you feel that you would benefit from talking to someone independently, Flinders University offers support and counselling via the University Employee Assistance Program. This service is entirely confidential.
Professor John Beynon |