Report from the Chair

I have received a resignation form Christine Jones.  I understand that she has been unwell and does not feel that she can continue on the SCG.  

HR has requested that the Chair sit on the advisory committee for the review of academic structure, which I have agreed to do.  Please feel free to direct feedback about the review process to me as well as to the focus groups within your own academic areas.

I have been involved in developing a website for the SCG which would replace the one that is currently available on the HR website.  I would like to suggest that this website have its own space on the Macquarie website, as opposed to sitting in the HR website as a sub area.  You can view the proposed website at

www.maths.mq.du.au/~carolyn/SCG

Comments are very welcome.  I intend to send it across to HR in final organisational form by the end of next week.

I have requested via email that the SCG meeting room in W3A have a web calendar attached to it so that once the swipe card access is available, we can all view the bookings for the room on the web (and hopefully be able to book the room on the web).  In the meantime bookings for the room can be made through Mark Erwood on 7643.  

I recently attended a meeting with HR to discuss the new requirements that the federal government is placing on universities to get the additional funding made available through HEWRR’s.  There are a number of policies that the government may request from the university to check compliance with the HEWRR’s requirements and HR is requesting our assistance in getting those policies reviewed as fast as possible. I have agreed that we will do what we can to help but do not agree to the consultation process being bypassed.

Carolyn Kennett