Important Message from the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive PROFESSOR MICHAEL SCOTT (pdf format)
Important message for Art and Design Students
Frequently asked questions regarding the University re structuring (pdf format)
Presentation on Administrative Restructuring (pdf format)
Student and Programmes Centre and Institutes Administration Structutre Chart (pdf format)
Outline of administrative support to be provided by Institute Administration and Student and Programmes Centre (pdf format)
Background
The Vice-Chancellor instigated a review of the academic structure and of the student-facing administrative services of the University in October 2008.
The Review Group considering administrative restructuring operated by meeting with all staff in the School Offices and a range of staff from central operational departments responsible for delivering services. (Membership of the Review Group is given in Appendix 1)
The work of the Review Group has been extended to consider an appropriate administrative structure to support the new academic structure of the University.
The Review Group has sought to manage change effectively and in a way that does not risk the stability of the University. This approved framework focuses on the current School Offices, the provision of services to students by the School Offices and administrative support for the new Schools and Institutes.
Key Principles
The University is now entering into a period of consultation regarding the proposed restructuring.
- The administrative functions based in the current School Offices will be brought together into one central administration office: Student and Programmes Centre.
- Staff in the School Offices will be organised in teams: a general administration team and programme administration teams.
- The School Office staff will be part of the University administrative structure, reporting through School Registrars to the Academic Registrar.
- The Executive Director/Director of Schools and the School Registrars will be supported by the general administration team.
Benefits of implementation
The Review Group has identified a number of benefits that would be derived from the proposed re-structuring:
- Prevention of duplication of work and data, improving both efficiency and accuracy of data.
- Communication: School Office staff will be part of an administrative structure with communication mechanisms.
- Professionalisation of School Office staff: line management by senior administrative staff will provide greater support, greater consistency of operation, staff development and career development opportunities for School Office staff.
- Efficiency:
- Common line management of School Office staff will ensure consistency in administrative processes and an enhanced understanding of the context of tasks undertaken.Enhanced provision of electronic services,
- Ability for administrative staff to provide cover for each other during absences.
- Familiarity with programmes: the creation of programme administration teams will retain the familiarity that School Office staff have currently with the academic staff and students associated with particular programmes, whilst introducing consistency of practice and ability to provide cover for staff in other programme areas. PGT programmes: common processes for support for PGT programmes.
- Interface between School Offices, Admissions team and International Office: these offices currently undertake roles that overlap, but with communication restricted by the current structure, limiting the efficiency of the service provided.
Review Group
October 2009
Appendix 1
Membership of Review group
Catherine Baxter (to September 2009)
Gerry Beer
Gillian Bridgett
Sarah Bridger
Tania Pennill (from May 2009)
Gabriella Bianco (Secretary)
