In direct response to staff feedback, and information gathered from the Vice-Chancellor’s introductory visits, on behalf of University Executive Board (UEB) we will shortly begin reviewing the University’s administration processes and in particular how they are experienced by our community. The review will be led by Professor Paul Whittaker, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The review will aim to explore and better understand any frustrations with our administration processes and help us become a One Southampton community and an agile, efficient workplace.
Professor Whittaker is currently setting up a taskforce which will gather information from a variety of sources from across the University, including discussions within faculties and directorates and focus groups. It will also assess existing data, consider past reviews of administration processes, and compare our processes with those of other universities.
A final report will be submitted to the Vice-Chancellor for discussion at UEB in the summer, to help direct thinking as to any further work.
Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice-Chancellor commented:
“I was very struck during my introductory visits across the university by the concerns raised by a number of colleagues who feel their workload is at times unnecessarily increased by what they feel are overly engineered or un-joined up processes, with too many steps and too many approvals.
“This taskforce will take a dispassionate view of all the feedback, and untangle fact from myth, with a view to helping ensure our processes are efficient for our staff and students, whilst ensuring we comply fully with our statutory and regulatory requirements.”
Over the coming weeks Deans and Executive Directors will provide opportunities for colleagues to feed back their thoughts, which will then feed into the taskforce.
