Monday Matters
One of the great aspects of my job is that I can periodically take a look around and ask the question, "What could we do to enhance our environment, our operations, and our ability to provide better services?" Many of the initiatives that come from my office are the result of trying to answer that question. Often I receive excellent suggestions from others who have asked themselves the same question.
Today I want to step back from discussing any particular initiative and instead share with you the most recent version of my "to do list." This is the list that I've created as a result of looking for ways to improve the workplace. I have two reasons for sharing this list with you. First, I know that many of you see the same potential that I do and might wonder if we are ever going to do anything about it. Although the items on my list never seem to get accomplished as fast as I would like, perhaps you would appreciate knowing that at least the plan is in the works. Second, I would like to solicit your ideas for other tasks to add to my list. When I look at our College I see it through my lenses. I might miss some important ideas that are priorities for others. I invite you to send me your suggestions for further initiatives.
Before presenting this list let me make a couple of important points. The list is in no particular order. An item near the top of the list is not necessarily more important than one further down, nor is it necessarily scheduled to be accomplished sooner. I simply jot down ideas as I have them. You will also recognize that most of the items on my list will only be accomplished through the work of people other than me. I might initiate projects and sometimes coordinate work that involves several different offices, but ultimately our successes are due to the hard work of the faculty and staff. Administrators can seldom take credit beyond being a catalyst for change.
So now I present Mike's "to do list." Thanks to the many of you who made these suggestions. I look forward to receiving more ideas.
Create web-based information on College policies and procedures. What I envision is not an exhaustive list of rules and regulations, but a "plain speak" guide to turn to for answers to recurring questions.
Populate the College forms web page with all commonly used forms. To begin with we will create PDF forms that can be filled out online and then printed. Eventually we will convert these to electronic forms that can be submitted and filed electronically.
Create a Staff Bonus Policy. This will be a plan to provide an annual bonus for members of the staff who provide consistent and exceptional service. This plan will replace the Outstanding Staff Award.
Transfer to University Electronic Payroll System. This system enables employees to enter work hours, annual leave, and sick leave electronically and permits supervisors to approve these electronically.
Implement Revision of Online Budget System. The new version of the online budget system will be a working web-based system that will enable users to click on any category and view all entries for that category.
Expand Online Budget System. Currently the online system is only for "A" accounts. We want to expand the system to include all College accounts, including contracts and grants accounts.
Implement Computer Upgrades. The inventory on faculty and staff computers is now complete. The upgrade will soon begin and will start with the most deficient systems.
Establish Software Distribution System. The College will have a central system for purchasing software and ensuring that all software in the College is properly licensed.
Create Grants Proposal Help Page and Tracking System. A page will provide information on funding opportunities, sample proposals, procedures for submission of proposals, and a system to track progress of a proposal.
Create Research and Service Dissemination Site. This will be targeted to the public and will provide information on research and service taking place in the College. A primary feature will be the dissemination of findings from College researchers.
Develop Grants Proposal Database. This database can be queried to obtain instant information about grants and contracts in the College.
Build Desktop Training Classroom. A new classroom with desktop computers will be created for computer software training for staff, faculty, and students.
Develop an Online Reservation System. This system will enable members of the faculty and staff to reserve conference rooms, equipment, and support personnel for College activities.
Create a Service Unit Evaluation System. A consumer feedback system will enable us to locate and correct deficiencies in the customer service functions of support offices (e.g. Instructional Support, Information Technology, Business Office).
Develop a Faculty Database. This database can be queried to automatically create current directories, committee lists, grants activity, etc.
Develop a Staff Database. This database can be queried for historical data, evaluation data, to create current directories, etc.
Enhance Unit Assessment Systems. The assessment systems that we recently created must be completed and procedures developed for entering and analyzing data in order to support our commitment to periodic self evaluation.
Now if I could only figure out what to do with all my spare time…
Until next week,
Mike