Offcourse

Issue 2 April 2008   |    Email Offcourse - Christel.Kent@adm.monash.edu.au.

Vice-Chancellor's Visit to Caulfield 

Approximately 100 staff came along to catch-up with colleagues and enjoy some refreshments at the Academic Director's Function on 10 April.  The Vice-Chancellor provided an update on University matters.  Some of the topics he covered were:

Research - increase in research income from $186M to $216M.

International Campuses - opening of the new Malaysia campus has seen an increase in students from 3,300 to 3,800 and the South African campus has increased its student numbers from 1,700 to 2,100.

Budget - operating result of $51M; consolidated funds of $169M with reserves of $400M.

Senior Management & Council Summits have resulted in 10 priorities being for 2009-2013.

To hear further information about the above, please to the Vice-Chancellor's recorded Ancora Imparo presentation: http://www.monash.edu.au/news/monashmemo/stories/20080402/ancora-imparo.html

(l-r Ron Fairchild (Vice-President-Advancement), Professor Richard Larkins (Vice-Chancellor), Professor Rob Willis (Academic Director - Caulfield & Clayton campuses), Rowan Crosbie-Goold (Marketing Manager - Faculty of IT)

Caulfield Campus Singers 

The Caulfield Campus Singers provided some entertainment by performing two sons at the Academic Director's Function.  Here are the words to one of the songs, which should be sung to the tune of John Lennon's So,  this is Christmas  ...

And so this is April

And what have we done

Easter is over

And next Ramadan

And what of Passover

Jayanti Hanuman

We love religious holidays

With time off to have fun 

Chorus

Multiculture is Monash

We love everyone here

Specially the holidays

Through most of the year

And so this is April

We’re politically correct

We’re into equality

And support every sect

Hindus and Muslims

And Christians and Jews

All religions are welcome

And yours will be too

Chorus  

And so Xmas in April

We know it’s absurd

Cos it means that last Sunday

Just never occurred

But 3 cheers for Monash

With its time all about

Let’s hope that out students

Will figure it out 

Chorus

(Caulfield Campus Singers)

If you would like to join the Caulfield Campus Singers, please contact Eliza Bram via email: eliza.bram@adm.monash.edu.au All voices are welcome!!

Our thanks to Rowan Crosbie-Goold and Eliza Bram for their leadership and support of this Campus initiative.

Congratulations to Michael Scorgie

Mr. Michael Scorgie, Department of Accounting and Finance, was recently presented with the 2007 Abacus Annual Manuscript Award for his paper "The Rise and Fall of William Bassett Chinnery".  The award and accompanying prize money of $US5,000 was presented to Michael by Professor Graeme Dean, Editor of Abacus in Rotterdam on 22 April.  The Manuscript Award is for the best article published in Abacus each calendar year.  Abacus is published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the Accounting Foundation, The University of Sydney.

Michael's paper explains how William Bassett Chinnery, who was appointed Agent for New South Wales on 1 May 1787, was enabled to embezzle more than 80,000 pounds of Treasury funds prior to his dismissal on 17 March 1812.

(Michael Scorgie (r) accepts his award from Professor Graeme Dean, Editor of Abacus)

Caulfield Campus Western Precinct - Information Session

A reminder that an information session on the Caulfield Campus Western Precinct Development will be held on Wednesday 21 May.  Two sessions will be held and will include time for questions.

Date: Wednesday 21 May 2008

Venue: B2.15 Lecture Theatre (Building B)

Time: - 12.00 noon to 12.30 p.m or 12.30 p.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Please advise Christel Kent, via email, which session you will be attending.

Also, please have a look at the model of the Western Precinct Development that is on display in the Service Centre (Building A, Level 1).

OHS Consultant

Peter Fell, OHS Consultant - Caulfield campus now has an office in Building A, Level 1, Room A1.05.  Peter can be contacted on ext. 31322. 

Cycling to Caulfield

A great deal has been happening in the area of cycling at Monash and work has already begun in organising this year's Ride to Work Day (mark your diaries now, Wednesday 15 October) to build on all the great work that was done last year.  The University is moving on this in a way that has never occurred before and now is a great time to get involved to help shape how well Monash switches from 4 wheels to 2.

Interested people are invited to attend a cross campus video conferencing hook-up on Monday 12 May from 2.00 to 3.00 p.m., Building H, Level 7, Room 782.

Please RSVP to James Gormley via email: james.gormley@adm.monash.edu.au if you will be attending.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Registration is invited for the next MHFA course at Caulfield campus scheduled for Tuesday 13 May and Thursday 15 May 2008.

Two very successful MHFA courses have already been run at Caulfield campus this year.  Over 200 Monash staff have completed MHFA courses since late 2006.  Feedback has been consistently very positive.

The MHFA Program was developed in 2001 at the centre for Mental Health Research at ANU.  It has been shown to be effective in improving mental health literacy, reducing stigma and increasing helping behaviours.  Mental Health First Aid is the initial help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is sought, and incorporates a 5 step action plan.

For information or registration, see Health, Wellbeing and Development MHFA webpage:

http://www.adm.monash.edu/community-services/mhfa/index.html

Or contact Helen Whiteside at Health, Wellbeing & Development ext. 32500 Helen.Whiteside@adm.monash.edu.au

Expressions of Interest - Monash University Grievance Advisers

Expressions of Interest are called for:

 * Employment Related Grievance Adviser
 * Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Adviser

The University is calling for expressions of interest from staff who are interested in being trained as Advisers in either of the above voluntary roles.

Advisers act fairly, impartially and confidentially in providing support to staff members who are seeking information on how to proceed with an employment related grievance or a discrimination and sexual harassment grievance. Training is provided on the relevant policies and procedures. Advisers participate in network meetings and receive ongoing mentoring.

Further information on the Employment Related Grievance Resolution Procedure and an outline of the role of advisers is located at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/entbarg/academic-general-2005/53.html

Further information on the Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedures is located at:

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/sss/equity-diversity/equal-opportunity/discrim-procedures.html

An outline of the Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Adviser role is located at:

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/sss/equity-diversity/equal-opportunity/training/index.html#dhworkshop

If you have a keen interest in being trained as an Adviser for either network and wish to apply or would like more information contact either of the following:

 * Employment Related Grievance Adviser – Rachel Grau , Workplace  Relations Department on ext. 56048 or email  rachel.grau@adm.monash.edu.au

 * Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Adviser – Leah Zaks, Coordinator, Equal Opportunity - Information and Resolution Services on ext 20248 or email leah.zaks@adm.monash.edu.au

The Campus Bookstore

The Campus Bookstore's May Sale starts on Monday 12 May and runs through to Friday 23 May.  A large range of books at reduced prices and great savings on stationery, multi-media products and printer cartridges.  Giftware and Monash apparel also at reduced prices.

Positive Psychology

Positive Monash weekly discussion group meets every Tuesday between 1.00-2.00 p.m. in Building B, Level 1, Room B1.54.

All are welcome to join this information discussion group.  Come along to fin out how to be happier and to get more out of life.  You can attend all sessions or select the ones which interest you.  Feel free to bring your lunch.

Upcoming Sessions:

May 13 - Relationships

May 20 - The underprivilege of privilege

May 27 - Mindful meditation

For more information to hub.monash.edu.au and click on the Positive Monash link.

New Textbuyer - The Campus Bookstore

The Campus Bookstore (Caulfield) welcomes Narelle Trezise-Hardy as the new Textbook Buyer.  Narelle joins Caulfield Campus after spending the last five years at the Peninsula Campus and is happy to assist with your textlists or any other enquiries you may have.  She can be contacted via email - narelle.trezise-hardy@campuslife.monash.edu.au

Shiatsu Therapy 

Shiatsu therapy  is massage-style body work based on Eastern traditions.  Each treatment is tailored to suit each client's special requirements and may also include a dietary and exercise options.  Shiatsu  provides a relaxing experience to reduce stress and promote health and wellbeing.

Sessions are generally 1 hour.  Staff and student discounts apply.

To make an appointment with Alex Caldwell, call the Health Service on ext 31177. 0.

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 Club meets on a monthly basis and would welcome new members.  If you would like to join please contact Wendy Plones via email:  wendy.plones@buseco.monash.edu.au

The Quilting Group

Members from the Women's Networking Group and other staff continue to meet each fortnight as part of the Quilting Group.  Their current project is making quilts for MECWA Nursing Homes, but would welcome new members to assist on their next project, quilts for Berry Street Kids.  No experience necessary, all are welcome to join.  If you would like to join, please contact Adeline Christie: adeline.christie@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

Caulfield Profiles will be held over to the next edition.

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