IT Services Newsletter #12

To: All staff in IT Services

Welcome to the first newsletter of this new academic session after the Summer break. Here is the latest update as we prepare for the onslaught of another year. I hope that all readers have been able to take a well-deserved break over the Summer. As usual there have been lots of things happening and this update will only cover a few selected items.

Graham

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Re-structure of IT Services
During last week’s LSS staff meetings, Sara announced the changes to both the Learner Support Services structure (as a result of the creation of a new Academic Development Unit), and also the recruitment process for two new posts (Head of LSS Customer Services and Head of Library Services). Sara had already circulated the interim line management arrangements for staff who previously reported to Sara Eyre. As a high priority we are now working on a new structure for IT Services. I understand that we need a speedy resolution to end a period of uncertainty, and also wish to confirm a consultative approach via managers and seeking input from individuals. I have made myself available for one-to-one or team discussions on this subject, and that remains an open invitation. Several discussions have already taken place and more are scheduled in the next few weeks. I will keep you informed through this newsletter.

Shared Services and Collaborative Working Project
Sara Marsh has already circulated briefing materials on this initiative. It has also been circulated in the weekly staff briefing this week. As is the usual way with corporate communications, the best laid plans for a structured cascade of information on this topic were swiftly overtaken by the rumour mill across the University campus. Our involvement so far has just begun, with the collection of some basic data about the functions of the IT Service (as at July 31st census date). KPMG are involved in co-ordinating this stage with support from colleagues in Finance. It is interesting to reflect that we sometimes struggle to share services within the campus and within the University, never mind with a wide range of other external partners.

Clearing, Confirmation and Enrolment 2009
This is just a brief update as I have tried to take every available opportunity to put on record my personal thanks to all of those who contributed to the Clearing and Confirmation process. It has been a tremendous success in terms of the new student Undergraduate recruitment. We can all be proud of our association with supporting the Academic Schools and Academic Administration in delivering a record-breaking student intake. We have also begun the process of pre-enrolment via the student portal and in the last ten days or so, over 2,500 students have engaged with this web-based process. It seems to be going very smoothly so far and this is in contrast to the student experience in 2008.

IT Strategy one-to-one meetings with members of Information Strategy Committee
We are in the process of consulting widely on the development of a new IT strategy for the period 2009-2014. This has involved presentations to various forums, and at the moment I am meeting one-to-one with all the members of the Information Strategy Committee, who in turn are mostly consulting with the areas that they represent. I hope that this group will feel able to sign off the strategy in early October. In the meantime, we welcome your ideas and suggestions on the content of this important document. The draft that has been used as the basis for the consultation and can be found here: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/planning/cttees/isc/2008-09/72-08-09.pdf. There are a number of documents that you may be interested reading which went to the last ISC also here: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/planning/cttees/isc/docs0809.php

E-Strategy next steps
The PVC for Strategic Systems Development (Prof Rae Earnshaw) stepped down at the end of July after almost 5 years leading the e-strategy and related developments. We have established a process to continue the embedding of e-strategy developments within LSS and the IT Service and there are further meetings planned of the e-strategy board to review and approve further activity. I would like to record our thanks to Rae for the particular focus he has brought to delivering improvements to the student experience and the support he has given to vital investments in IT and business projects throughout his period of office.

Start of Term IT Services meeting
An invitation was extended to all staff in LSS to the first “IT Services meeting” since Sara Eyre’s retirement. We managed to conclude the meeting in under two hours (a record) but I don’t know if we had as much fun as previous meetings. There are lots of things going on ahead of the start of term including the launch of new student printing services, newly refurbished PC cluster facilities in Richmond and Chesham Building, as well as the launch of the new webmail service. The minutes are drafted and will circulate to all staff shortly.

Staff Updates
There are a few things to announce this month. Some of you will already know that Richard Davis is now a proud dad – William who was born on August 19th. We have also said goodbye this month to Susan Fellows after 35 years service making a wide range of contributions in DP, ACU through MIS via MAC. Susan’s post has been filled by Rick Graves (an indefinite post). We have also recruited two new staff for the Finance Business Systems Support project. Sian Norman and Javed Iqbal begin with us on September 14th on 18 month contracts in the first instance. I am sure that you will join me in welcoming them to IT Services.

Outline Priorities for the next few months
Just for information, each Division of LSS was asked what it thought the main priorities were at the recent LSS Board Away Day. Here are some things that I think will be a particular priority in the coming months.

Sorting out the new IT services structure as a result of wider re-organisation in LSS
Signing off the new IT strategy for 2009-14
Putting together a prioritised customer-led IT plan for the current year
Responding to the feedback we received in the inaugural student survey
Support for the new Finance Business System project
Planning and launching Microsoft Live@edu service beginning with our students who graduated in July 2009