Offcourse

Issue 1 March 2008   |    Email Offcourse - Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au.

Welcome to 2008 

It has been a bright start to 2008 here at the Caulfield Campus, with lots happening around the campus. 

Cyclone fencing went up around the common lawn prior to Christmas, lawn seed was laid and water brought in, in order for the common lawn to be at its best for the intake of new students at Orientation and for use during O-Fest.   Many thanks to Facilities & Services for undertaking this work.

(Reseeding of the lawn took place over the Christmas break)

We welcomed staff of the Advancement Division to Caulfield Campus.  Advancement staff have been working from several different locations on two campuses, but have now consolidated their operations at the Caulfield Campus - operating from Levels 9 and 10 in Building H and 871 Dandenong Road.    The 50th Anniversary Project Office, Marketing and Student Recruitment, Donor Alumni & Community Relations and Business & Resources are in Building H, with Onshore, Offshore and International Recruitment located at 871 Dandenong Road.

The University Health Service welcomed new practitioners to the Service:  Drs. Patrick Campisi, Jane Richards and Michael Lum.  Together with Dr. Charles Okraglik, Janet Keys-Brown and Owen Lu, they all have special interests in travel medicine and immunisations, skin checks and women's and men's health.  Unfortunately bulk billing is only available for students, staff are now required to pay a small fee.

Kristine Banks-Smith and Emily Greco were returned to their positions of President and Vice-President of MONSU Caulfield.  We congratulate them on retaining their positions and will continue to work closely with them in 2008.

Professor Gill Palmer was fondly farewelled from the University on Friday 8 February.  Professor Palmer has taken on the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor Business at RMIT.  In the meantime, Professor Owen Hughes is Acting Dean.

The Western Precinct Development is progressing.  Discussions continue as to which Faculty may relocate to the Caulfield Campus.  It is hoped that a campus briefing will be provided early to mid-April. 

Welcome Ceremonies/Orientation 2008 

Wednesday 20 February and Thursday 21 February marked the official welcome to the 2008 intake of new students at Caulfield Campus. 

Following on from the successful Welcome/Orientation format introduced in 2007, the parallel welcomes were once again held in the two largest lecture theatres in Building K. On Wednesday 20 February students in the faculties of Arts, Art & Design, Information Technology and Psychology were welcomed and undergraduate students in the Faculty of Business & Economics were welcomed on Thursday 21 February.  Postgraduate students in the Faculty of Business & Economics were welcomed at sessions earlier in the week.

MONSU Caulfield Student Representatives:  Emily Greco (Vice-President), Craig Lewis (Welfare Officer), Emma Weir (Activities Officer) and Elliott Green (Deputy Activities Officer) did a terrific job as MCs on both days - introducing speakers, providing vital information and keeping the attention of over 1,400 students (over both days).

(Emma - Activities Officer & Elliott - Deputy Activities Officer - two of the four MONSU Caulfield representatives who acted as MCs for the Welcome Ceremonies)

Professor Rob Willis, Academic Director, and Kristine Banks-Smith, MONSU Caulfield President engaged well with the students and we thank all staff from Health, Wellbeing and Development, Learning Skills, Service Centre and Student Rights for their assistance and contribution to the Welcome ceremonies.

(Professor Rob Willis, Academic Director - Caulfield & Clayton campuses welcomes new students to Caulfield)

(Kristine Banks-Smith, MONSU Caulfield President)

(Amber and Megan, two of the MONSU Caulfield Student representatives, who provided vital information for incoming students)

In addition to the rolling photos of various campus events/student trips that students viewed whilst entering the lecture theatres and the playing of a 9 minute Orientation DVD which provided a great snapshot of the Caulfield campus, students were also shown some slides of prominent Alumni of Monash University.

Caulfield Campus Singers

Research has shown that community singing increases peoples sense of wellbeing and lowers their levels of stress ..... Who wouldn't mind a bit of that?

The Caulfield Campus Singers are ready to sing! But we'd like a few more people to join us.  You don't have to be a skilled singer, but you will need a willingness to have a bit of fun.

All staff and students are most welcome.

First rehearsal for 2008 will be on Wednesday 19 March at 12.00 noon in the Clayfield Room, Building A, Level 1, Room A1.34.  No need to RSVP - just come along.

If you would like more information in relation to the Caulfield Campus Singers, please contact Eliza Bram on ext. 32500 or via email:  eliza.bram@adm.monash.edu.au

Red Cross Blood Bank - Mobile Van

MONSU Caulfield has organised for a Red Cross Mobile Blood Bank to attend the campus during 2008.  Two visits have been organised - please note these dates for your diary:

Wednesday 23 April

Wednesday 23 July.

Cycle to Caulfield

Some Caulfield based staff who were involved in the Ride to Work Day event are keen to get more staff and students interested in riding their bikes to Caulfield and keeping out of their cars.  The Monash Environment Office has set targets to increase the number of people using their bikes as their preferred mode of transport to campus.

Funding may be available to improve cycling facilities on each campus, and therefore people on each campus are being asked to put forward  a list of things that could improve cycling. 

If you have any ideas about how to improve or encourage people to use their bikes as their preferred mode of transport to campus, please email them through to David Feith via email: david.feith@college.monash.edu.au

Are You Interested in Climate Change & Sustainability Issues?

Who isn't?  All staff who are interested in climate change and sustainability related issues are invited to become members of the Monash Sustainability Network.  This group has informal "coffee & chat" on a weekly basis during the year, and are kept informed of current issues and activities via email.   They are also involved in initiating and supporting positive campus and university actions in relation to these critically important areas.

To become involved just send your email address to Jeff Mclean: jeff.mclean@buseco.monash.edu or call Jeff on ext. 32608.  All very welcome.

Seminar on Climate change: "Emerging urgency and managing the risks"

"Greenhouse emissions are rising faster than the worst-case IPCC scenarios"

Monday 10 March (Labour Day public holiday but not university holiday)
1-2 pm, Caulfield , Building H, Basement Room B.39
 

Dr Graeme I Pearman AM, FAA, ATSE, FRoySocVic, BSc(Hon), PhD
Monash University, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Director GP Consulting

To register, please email miriam.sridharan@buseco.monash.edu.au  or telephone ext. 31165.  A light lunch will be provided from 12.30pm.

Mindfulness Meditation 

Classes have recommenced for 2008.

Held in the Spiritual Centre - Building B, Level 1 Room B1.56 - 12.00 noon to 12.30.

No fee and no need to RSVP - just come along.

Women's Networking & Support Group   

 If you enjoy meeting other staff on campus over lunch, why not join the Caulfield Women's Networking & Support Group?  The group meets monthly on Mondays and always has interesting speakers.  If you would like to join or have further queries, please contact Helen Dunne on ext. 31595 or via email: helen.dunne@adm.monash.edu.au

Campus Book Club

The Campus Book has recommenced for 2008.  All staff welcome.  If you would like to join please contact Wendy Plones via email:  wendy.plones@buseco.monash.edu.au

Witnessing of Documents  

 If you need documents witnessed, please contact Christel Kent who will provide you with names of staff who can assist.

If you are qualified to witness documents and you are happy to be added to the list of those who can assist, please contact Christel Kent by telephone ext. 31000 or via email: christel.kent@adm.monash.edu.au

Caulfield Profiles

This month we take a look at HiCity - the staff who look after the lawns and gardens at Caulfield Campus .....

The well known team of gardeners who keep the grounds at Caulfield in such good shape will be carrying on their good work for at least another three years. 

HiCity, the West Heidelberg based company which employs the team has been awarded a fresh contract by Facilities and Services.  The company has a commitment to promote the independence of people who have a disability or are disadvantaged. 

The Caulfield team works on Monday to Thursday under the direction of support worker Sue Jacobs.  Sue, a qualified gardener who has been in the profession 26 years, teaches her team skills such as grounds' maintenance, lawn mowing, weeding, planting and mulching. 

(Sue Jacobs)

The team, pictured below, is (from left) Chris Judd, Trevor Kilpatrick, Jason Jennings, Kristine Connor and Jim Williams.

Caulfield is one of 200 sites maintained by HiCity and the company now employs more than 50 workers with a disability in its garden maintenance section.  A spokesperson for Facilities and Services said: “ This team have been doing a marvellous job over many years and we were delighted to be able to offer HiCity this new contract. Caulfield grounds are in good hands.”

If you would like to be "profiled" in an upcoming edition of Offcourse, please email me at christel.kent@adm.monash.edu.au.