Transition update: College of Science and Engineering NewsletterWelcome to the 4th College of Science and Engineering transition update. This newsletter is just one way of sharing information about the changes associated with both the new academic organisation structure of six colleges and the Professional Services Project (PSP). There are also College Forums (see details on our next Forum below), you can share input with College Transition Team members and there is the opportunity for email questions/feedback: 2025@flinders.edu.au College Transition TeamIssues being managed by our Transition Team include:
Membership of the College of Science and Engineering Transition Team
Developments in the Professional Services Project (PSP)Professor Pollock gave an update on next stages in the PSP in her most recent all-staff email. 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 leadersEach College plans to recruit a College Operations Team Leader to support the Head of College Services in leading service professionals, including frontline college support officers and administration officers. They will take a lead role in delivering improvement initiatives, high-level planning and deputising for the Head of Colleges Services when required. College officeOur college office will be located off Anchor Court, in the area currently occupied by the Biology School Office in the Biological Sciences Building and at level 3 of the Tonsley Building, where the current CSEM School office is located. Generally, college front offices will provide the same support services which were previously provided by School offices, and students will contact the same staff who provided them with support prior to the new college structure. Where necessary, individual colleges will communicate further college-specific information about their staff and front offices to their staff and students. 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. We are now at a stage where we can inform them of the opening of the new college offices, where students will access a range of support services associated with their college. To ensure students are aware of which College their courses belong to they will be given access to a simple online search tool. This tool will also provide them information on the location and contact details for their college front. Over the next few weeks, students will receive an email from Professor Pollock providing them with a link to the search tool, informing them of a range of FAQs on Ask Flinders related to the changes, as well as maps which will show the locations of the new college fronts. As the year progresses, we will implement further changes to signage and wayfinding across the University. Student Ambassadors will be located temporarily in key thoroughfares across campus, helping students find their way to the Campus fronts and handing out maps. 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. College forumThe next Science and Engineering College Forum will be held at Biological Sciences Lecture Room 103 between 2pm and 3pm on Monday 26 June. The Forum will be an opportunity for an update on progress towards the new college and for an open exchange of questions and answers. Professor Beynon will chair the Forum, with support from other members of the College Transition Team. The format of the Forum will be an initial presentation by the Transition Team, followed by about half an hour for questions and answers. If you prefer, you can submit questions to the Forum in advance by sending them to fseexecutiveemail@flinders.edu.au. Recruitment for our CollegeThe following positions in our College have been filled:
Staying connectedAs well as keeping up to date through communication with members of the College Transition Teams, you can also keep up to date by visiting The 2025 Agenda – Achieving our vision webpage. At any time throughout this process you can 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, Flinders University offers support via the University Employee Assistance Program. This service is entirely confidential.
Professor John Beynon and Associate Professor Ian Menz |