Creating a quality experience for our students

A message from Interim Provost Professor Meg Stuart:

In the last few weeks I have visited most of our campuses to share the results of the university’s recent strong performance in important sector measures such as the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) surveys. It is really wonderful to see ACU tracking in the top tier of Australian universities. You can see all results on the QILT website.

I have enjoyed meeting so many of you who have come to these presentations and I value your feedback. I am proud of ACU’s performance but more importantly I am appreciative of the significant effort from our staff who provide a high-quality experience for our students. In particular, I would like to thank and acknowledge our Faculty academic and professional staff; Global and Education staff and staff in all of the supporting portfolios including the Centre for Education and Innovation. These outcomes are testament to your expertise, dedication, passion and empathy. Please take the time to congratulate each other and share this wonderful achievement.

For many this has been accomplished regardless of ongoing challenges to the way you work. One important matter has been academic workload allocation which we recognise needs addressing. To do so we have committed to a thorough review of the policy with the intention of revising it to ensure alignment with the new enterprise agreement, our strategic priorities and in support of the university’s mission. I will be providing more details soon about the process and how you can be involved in the consultation process.

This review is an important priority and will remain a consideration as the university embarks on the Recovery Transition Program (RTP). As the Vice-Chancellor said in his message to staff on 27 October, the university is facing a difficult financial situation. He has established a Recovery Transition Program Board (RTPB), which the Chief Operating Officer and I are leading, to look at practical avenues to grow revenue and reduce costs.

We will continue to update you regularly as we review the university’s operations, and there will be opportunities for you to provide feedback. We recognise that this review will cause concern for many of you, and we encourage you to access the services available to staff at ACU, including the Employee Assistance Program and Campus Ministry.

You have an investment in the future of the university and we will be listening to your input. It is also important to look after yourselves and to relax and recharge over the Christmas break. We have had an enormously productive year with as many successes as challenges. I look forward to entering the new year with fresh vigour.