Policy Reform
A project to reform the University's Policy library was initiated in 2006. Its objective was to develop a streamlined Policy Library in which policies were coherently organised, easy to find, readable, and consistent in presentation and content.
Over the ensuing year, the project delivered:
- a revised glossary of governance terms;
- a new hierarchical policy framework;
- a reduction in the number of documents within the Policy Library;
- an enhanced search function;
- a procedure for developing policy and advice on the approval pathways for new or revised documents;
- templates for formatting policy documents; and
- a policy@newcastle website.
In 2008 that project delivered a new look Policy Library with improved search functions, additional advice on key policies for user groups, and a range of options for accessing policy information easily.
Policy Review Project 2008
In mid-2008 the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services), Dr Sue Gould, initiated the Policy Review Project to undertake a further fundamental review of policy at the University of Newcastle and to provide strategies for improvement.
Objectives
To evaluate the current policy@newcastle site with emphasis on improvements in relation to:
- the accessibility and useability of the Policy Library;
- the relevance, accuracy and readability of policies;
- the identification of policy gaps and issues;
- an assessment and review of the policy framework;
- the identification of current trends and innovation in policy provision; and
- strategies for improvement.
Working Group
A Working Group has been established to undertake the review. It comprises:
- Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health) (Chair) - Professor Mike Calford
- Acting President of Academic Senate - Professor Brailey Sims
- Academic Registrar - Ms Gail White
- Acting Director, Human Resource Services - Ms Julie Craig
- Director, Corporate Information - Ms Sandra Sirasch
- Head of School representative - Associate Professor Steve Weller, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Student Academic Conduct Officer representative - Dr Dianne Osland, School of Humanities and Social Science
- School Executive Officer representative - Mr Dylan Mitchell, School of Education
- Policy Officer, Governance and Policy - Ms Marie Dunn
- Project Manager, Policy Review - Ms Samantha Brookes
Project Milestones
| Milestone | Date Completed |
|---|---|
| Terms of Reference Drafted | March 2008 |
| Project Manager Commenced | 23 July 2008 |
| Working Group Established | 29 August 2008 |
| Identification of Key Internal Stakeholders | 29 August 2008 |
| Interviews with Internal Stakeholders to investigate attitudes, values and beliefs in relation to policy | 29 August 2008 |
| Meetings of Project Review Working Group | 19 September 2008 23 October 2008 27 November 2008 11 December 2008 |
| Consultation with Other Universities/External Organisations | 30 October 2008 |
| Consultation with University Staff re: Stakeholder Findings and Proposed Recommendations | December 2008 |
| Focus Group Meetings re Findings and Proposed Recommendations | November 2008 |
| Review Report completed | December 2008 |
| Endorsement of the recommendations in the Review Report by the Vice-Chancellor and commitment to funding | January 2009 |
Project Period
The project has been established initially for the period August 2008 to February 2009 however the implementation period is expected to continue throughout 2009.
Contact
Samantha Brookes
Project Manager - Policy Review
Email: Samantha.Brookes@newcastle.edu.au
Telephone: (02) 4921 6406
In Person: Governance & Policy Unit, Student Centre, Callaghan Campus