Phase two of the transfer to the faculty-focussed model for administration has been completed.
This consisted of preparation for transition to the model by the development of a future staffing plan for each Faculty/School. These plans were approved by the Vice-Chancellor’s Group on 15 March 2010.
Centralised undergraduate admissions processing
In respect of the move to centralised undergraduate admissions processing, the first stage of implementation will include the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering & Design. Discussions are also ongoing with the Department of Computer Science, with an intention to include them in the first stage of centralised processing.
The final phase of work to transfer to the faculty-focussed model has commenced and is being led by the Deans and Directors of Administration, with support from colleagues in the Department of Human Resources.
Changes to job descriptions
A series of consultation meetings have been held with the campus trade unions: UNISON, UCU and UNITE, to discuss the proposals, implementation and the strategy for filling posts in the new structures.
The job descriptions for the key posts in the new structure have been prepared and evaluation will be completed this week. Job descriptions for other posts where significant changes are made will also be updated and submitted for job evaluation.
A final meeting with the trade unions has been arranged for early next week.
Assimilation to new posts
Following this meeting, consultation with individuals and groups of staff will take place within the faculties.
It is proposed that the vast majority of staff will be automatically assimilated to posts in the new structure.
For staff not automatically assimilated, individual consultation meetings will be held to discuss the options available in the new structures. Ongoing support, induction and training will be available for staff undertaking different responsibilities.
Completion of re-organisation
It is proposed that the implementation, including the assimilation of staff from the School of Health into the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, will be completed by the end of July 2010.
Following completion of the assimilation of staff, an overview of the new Faculty/School administrative structures, including details of who to contact within each Faculty and the School of Management, will be provided on the University’s website.
Alison Price – Chair of the Working Group on Business Processes