Your Voice at RMIT

Update – August 2008

From Professor Margaret Gardner AO, Vice-Chancellor and President

The ‘Your Voice at RMIT’ Staff Survey was an important project in 2007, and work has been going on to address the issues raised by the results.

At a University level, we have enhanced and extended our leadership development programs, which now involve over 400 people and support the development of critical leadership skills.

Much work has also been done to bring together a consolidated RMIT policies website. This new site, along with additional training and support for policy developers, will make access to policies, procedures and guidelines simpler, and improve consistency and accountability of policies that affect us all.

Process Improvement Challenge

We received 77 thoughtful and well constructed proposals in response to this Challenge, and three were selected to be implemented. Significant work has been undertaken to scope and implement the winning proposals, and this will continue well into 2009. Each of the project leaders will circulate more detailed information about each project as appropriate and it becomes available, but broadly:

1. Online special consideration applications – Approximately 8000 applications for special consideration are received annually, and the current paper-based process is very time-consuming. A new online system will create efficiencies and benefits for students (numbering 4000+ each year), as well as the Academic Registrar’s Group and School-based staff. Full implementation of an online system will be delayed until the Campus Solutions/PeopleSoft upgrade is completed in 2010. However an interim online solution is being developed to provide a front-end for the Access database currently in use.
   
2. Reduction of carbon emissions by RMIT University – Property Services are in progress with a range of projects to create a more environmentally sustainable campus, including purchasing 15% Green Power, changing to energy efficient lighting across the campuses, a focus on sustainability in RMIT’s capital program, the recruitment of an Environmental Manager, and improving the communication of these activities. Information about RMIT’s commitment to environmentally sustainable best practice, and resources for staff are available on the ‘Think Green at RMIT’ website.
   
3. University travel processes – Financial Services have recognised that, as identified in the Process Improvement Challenge proposals, existing travel approval processes complex and cumbersome. However there are other issues throughout the whole process of arranging and managing travel, not just with approvals. In response, FSG have recommended a wide-ranging, end-to-end system. They will be investigating options for this holistic solution during in the second half of 2008, to enable delivery of a fully consistent solution by the end of 2009.

More detail about the winning proposals and the work being done to implement them, is available on the Process Improvement Challenge page of this website.

Local Action Plans

In addition to the RMIT-wide results, schools and service areas were given a copy of their own responses to the survey. This was enormously valuable for staff groups and their leaders. It allowed everyone to discuss and identify particular issues at the local level and develop action plans to address these as a matter of priority. See summary of local action plans (.pdf).

A diverse and interesting range of activities have begun and are ongoing. It is clear from the feedback I have received that we are developing a better understanding of local issues and strategies, and communication, collaboration and relationships have improved within and between teams, and across RMIT. Many systems, projects and ways of working have been reviewed and refreshed, creating efficiencies and greater accountability and transparency. All this is enabling individuals and groups to focus time, resources and energy on high priority, high impact work.

See some examples of the many and varied activities across schools and service groups.

Feedback

All staff are encouraged to provide feedback on their experience of the 2007 Staff Survey at any time. Send an email to yourvoice@rmit.edu.au

You might consider:

• The activities you have seen or been involved with in your school/area and across RMIT that were a response to the Staff Survey results – what has been happening?
• The impact these activities have had on you personally and in your school/area – what difference has it made?
• Other insights or reflections on any aspect of the 2007 Staff Survey

We are also very interested to hear about ways you may have used the ‘Whole of RMIT’ survey results to inform aspects of your work.

Once again, I would like to thank you for providing valuable feedback on your experience of working at RMIT, via the Staff Survey. The survey and resulting actions are an important exercise and I am committed to working with you to improve RMIT.