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Staff Notices: 11 - 15 August 2008
Table of Contents
- Uni in the News
- General Information for Staff
- Events
- Training and Development Opportunities
- Information for Researchers
Uni in the News
Garlic can lower blood pressure, study finds
A new study led by Dr Karin Ried, PHCRED Fellow, suggests 'Garlic could lower blood pressure as effectively as some drugs'. In the studies analysed, patients took a daily dose of different garlic supplements for between three and six months. The results showed that the vegetable could cause significant falls in blood pressure levels.
In some cases the supplement even achieved the same result as drugs such as beta blockers, Dr Ried said. The supplements contained as much of the active ingredient, allicin, as found in a small clove of garlic.
However, researchers warn that further study is needed to assess the impact of garlic supplements on the risk of heart disease and its effectiveness over a longer period of time.
The research article Effect of garlic on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis, was published in journal BMC Cardiovascular Disorders on 16 June by Karin Ried, Oliver Frank, Nigel Stocks and Peter Fakler from the Discipline of General Practice, and Thomas Sullivan from the Discipline of Public Health, University of Adelaide.
Source: Telegraph, UK (1 August 2008)
General Information for Staff
Draft Procedures - For Comment
Private Activities Procedures and related Approval Form
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/drafts/ [UA access only]
All staff are encouraged to read and comment on this draft policy, as it is proposed to apply to all staff and addresses when approval is required for private activities that have the potential to impact on the University. The consultation period ends on 25 August.
New Policies and Procedures
A major review of IT policy has culminated in the preparation of a single IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy [see URL below] which replaces all previous IT policies, procedures and guidelines. All users of University IT facilities must abide by this policy and should familiarise themselves with its content. While many of the policy principles have not been altered, the number of changes made to improve access, security and compliance are numerous.
IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
Access and Accounts Procedures
IT Security Procedures
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/2783/
Other recently approved Policies and Procedures:
Credit Card Policy and Procedures
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/2743/
Travel and Entertainment Policy and Procedures
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/2723/
Jointly Conferred Academic Awards Policy and associated templates
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/1184/
Delegations
The Delegations database lists the Vice-Chancellor and President's Delegations of Authority. The database may be viewed by either
'category' or 'position' and is available at:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/governance/delegations/
Call for Applications for the Equity and Diversity Grants Scheme
The Equity and Diversity Grants Scheme is an initiative of the Gender, Equity and Diversity Committee and endorsed by the Vice-Chancellor's Committee. The Scheme provides seed funding of up to $5,000 for new and innovative strategies that enhance equity and diversity for students and staff at the University.
The Grants Working Party welcomes applications from staff across the University. The closing date is 31 August 2008.
Full details on the website: www.adelaide.edu.au/hr/equity/ged/grants/.
ITS Hot Tips
Do you ever wonder why your computer has "cookies"? Cookies are information stored on your computer when you visit some web sites that are useful if you ever return to the same sites.
You can check your daily Internet usage at: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/site-bin/snap.pl by selecting "Detailed Transaction History".
Performance Excellence Framework - Staff Consultation
You may be aware that during 2007 the University committed to reviewing our approach to performance management. The review was initiated as a result of the:
- need to align with the University's strategy to increase research and teaching impact;
- issues highlighted by staff through the Staff Survey;
- availability of HEWRRs funding to universities to undertake performance management based projects;
- opportunity to further embed performance discussions into University practice and continue to build a high performance culture; and
- the opportunity to increase the University brand for attraction and retention purposes.
The review led to the development of the Performance Excellence Framework. Essentially the draft framework is a consolidation and refinement of existing policies and procedures and consists of the following:
- Position Descriptions (replacing Professional staff duty statements).
- Planning, Development and Review (PDR) guidelines and templates (replacing the current PDR).
- Reward and Recognition process.
- Performance Improvement - A Guide to Managing Unsatisfactory Performance procedures.
During the past few months Human Resources have been piloting the proposed changes to PDR and Position Descriptions within some Faculties and Branches. The pilots resulted in further refinements to the guidelines and templates. The draft framework was also presented to the Organisational and Staff Development Committee and the comments from that Committee have been incorporated into the documentation.
The Performance Excellence Framework is now open for staff consultation. The Organisational and Staff Development Committee are seeking your views on the draft framework, available at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/orgdev/pe/.
Please take the time to review the draft framework and email your comments to Ms Jasmin Rieck, Manager Organisational Development, by Thursday 14 August 2008. Your comments will be consolidated and presented to the Organisational and Staff Development Committee and Human Resources for consideration.
The consultation period will be followed by training for managers and staff in the revised PDR.
Professor Fred McDougall
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Vacant Positions
Events
Sub Cruce Lumen: Celebrating the Granting of Arms
Date/Time: Thursday 14 August 2008, 10:30am
Venue: Ira Raymond Room, Barr Smith Library
Professor Fred McDougall, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Adelaide, invites you to view an exhibition Sub Cruce Lumen: Celebrating the Granting of Arms to the University of Adelaide and St Mark's College. Speakers include Professor McDougall; Ms Rose Alwyn, Master, St Mark's College and Guest Speaker, Bishop Ian George AO.
The exhibition provides an archival overview of the heraldry of two of Adelaide's oldest and most respected academic institutions, the University of Adelaide and St Mark's College. The granting of arms by the College of Arms, London, spread from individuals to corporate bodies during the Middle Ages. Armorial bearings provide an official symbol for an institution and are only granted to those that are well established, of sound financial standing, and a leading or respected body in its field.
Morning tea will be served.
RSVP on 8303 3086 or art.heritage@adelaide.edu.au.
Exhibition viewing times - until 31 August 2008
During Barr Smith Library opening hours
FREE. All welcome.
Public Art on North Terrace Campus
Art & Heritage Collections invite you to Public Art on North Terrace Campus.
Dates: Thursday 14 August 2008, 2:00pm & Sunday 17 August 2008, 3:00pm (Open Day tours)
Venue: Meet in front of the Mitchell Building, North Terrace Campus, duration approximately 45 minutes.
FREE. All welcome.
Tour of public artworks by South Australian artists on the University of Adelaide North Terrace Campus, including work by Geoff Wilson, Greg Johns and Hossein Valamanesh. To register please contact Gaynor Tyerman on 8303 6356 or gaynor.tyerman@adelaide.edu.au.
Barr Smith Library Annual Book Sale
Dates: Friday 29 August and Monday 1 September, 9:00am-5:00pm
(no weekend sales or viewing)
Venue: Ira Raymond Exhibition Room, Barr Smith Library, Level 3 (opposite the entrance)
This year will feature German titles, physics, older medical books, plus many others across all subject areas.
Enquiries to Margaret Hosking on 8303 3706 / 8303 5285 or library-brl@adelaide.edu.au.
Antony and Cleopatra
Dates: Tuesday to Saturday 12-16 & 19-23 August 2008, 7:30pm
Venue: Little Theatre, The Cloisters, University of Adelaide
Tickets: $25 Full Price; $20 Concession
Special Uni Tuesdays: $15 staff and students on Tuesday performances, 12 & 19 August, subject to availability.
Antony and Cleopatra is one of the great tragic stories of the clash between private passions and public lives. Shakespeare's take on these historic lovers is fast-paced and engrossing.
The play was last performed by the Theatre Guild for its 50th anniversary in 1998, and we are delighted to present it again for our 70th year.
Director Brant Eustice returns to Shakespeare after winning the Adelaide Critics Circle Coopers Award for outstanding individual achievement for his direction of the Guild's 2006 production, Julius Caesar.
Bookings on 8303 5999 or online at: www.adelaide.edu.au/theatreguild.
Download: flyer.
School of Mathematical Sciences Colloquium Series
Elliptic equation for diffusion-advection flows
Speaker: Professor Pavel Bedrikovsetsky
Date/Time: Friday 15 August, 3:10pm
The Role of Walls in Chaotic Mixing
Speaker: Dr Jean-Luc Thiffeault
Date/Time: Friday 22 August, 3:10pm
Venue: G03, Napier Building, University of Adelaide
All welcome.
Visit: www.maths.adelaide.edu.au/news/
Enquiries: Jonathan Tuke.
Distinguished Social Sciences Public Lectures
"Family Responsibilities in the Age of Individualism: Whose 'Right' to 'Choose'?"
Public Lecture by Professor Chilla Bulbeck, Discipline of Gender, Work and Social Inquiry
Date/Time: Wednesday 13 August, 6:00pm-8:00pm
'Theories of Global Mobility'
Public Lecture by Professor Stephen Castles, Professor of Migration and Refugee Studies, University of Oxford
Date/Time: Wednesday 10 September, 6:00pm-8:00pm
'The New Paradigm of International Migration in Australia'
Public Lecture by Professor Graeme Hugo, Professorial Research Fellow, Director of GISCA, Geographical and Environmental Studies
Date/Time: Wednesday 17 September, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Venue: Theatre 102, Napier Building, University of Adelaide
Scottish Ceilidh, Urrbrae House, Waite Campus
In the grand setting of the family home of Peter and Matilda Waite built in 1891.
Date/Time: Saturday 6 September 2008, 7:30pm
Ceilidh Band with additional artists including demonstration of Highland Dancing.
Supper and drinks - BYO. Sherry and haggis on arrival.
Tickets: $25 per person. Book a table for a group of eight or join a group for the evening.
Enquiries and bookings to Bill Wallace or 8379 1905.
Training & Development Opportunities
Spoken Language Strategies for NESB Staff
A course for staff from language backgrounds other than English, who may have concerns, or have had feedback, that their spoken English is difficult for students to understand.
Dates: 18, 19 & 20 August, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Venue: CLPD Seminar Room 2, Level 2, Schulz Building West
Visit the Learning & Teaching website for further information. Email CLPD to enrol in the course.
Staff Development Workshops
The following staff development workshops are available in September:
Building Personal Resilience
Wednesday 3 & 17 September (2 day program), 9:00am-1:00pm
Managing Inappropriate and Difficult Behaviour in the Workplace
Thursday 11 September, 9:00am-1:00pm
Understanding the Media
Tuesday 16 September, 9:00am-12:00noon
Visit the Organisational and Professional Development website for further information and workshop bookings.
Student Recruitment in Higher Education (1/2 day seminar)
The next ATEM professional development event is a 1/2 day seminar on Student Recruitment in Higher Education.
Date/Time: Tuesday 19 August, 9:00am-1:00pm (including lunch)
Venue: National Wine Centre
Cost: $100 for ATEM members, $130 for non-members
Successful marketing is supposed to be about getting a deep understanding of your target customer's needs and desires, then constructing a carefully crafted message, so that your brand is evaluated favourably against competitors. The reality is that marketing doesn't work like that a lot of the time. So how does it work, and what should marketers concentrate on?
John Dawes, a senior researcher at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science, will discuss these issues and recommend some courses of action. He will also discuss what sort of data you can use to make better decisions, and how to better interpret your research data.
Stephen Holmes, a Managing Partner from the Knowledge Partnership, will discuss relationship marketing as it applies to student recruitment and examine the student journey perspective in relation to our recruitment work.
Both of these speakers will challenge some of our assumptions about student recruitment and consider how we might conduct this activity differently. There will be time for discussion and questions and networking over morning tea and lunch.
Register at the ATEM website.
Information for Researchers
Researcher Orientation Session - 'Settling in'
The Settling In Researcher Orientation workshop is recommended for all researchers who wish to consolidate their understanding of the University's strategic research directions. This module provides briefings from the University's senior research managers and leaders and affords opportunities for researchers to build their networking and collaboration.
Date/Time: Thursday 18 September, 4:30pm-6:30pm
Venue: Equinox Room
Prior registration is essential.
Further information: www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/rep/staff/frlp/timetable/
Registration: www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/rep/staff/enrolment.html
Facilitated by Researcher Education & Development, Adelaide Graduate Centre, researchereducation@adelaide.edu.au.
Adelaide Research & Innovation
The latest 'commUNIcate RESEARCH' newsletter is available online.
Research Branch
See the Research Branch newsletter for the latest information on major grant rounds and information sessions, a selection of competitive grants and prizes now open for application and other research-related news.
