Search the Knowledge Centre

Managing Risk by Building Culture – Operational Excellence

The Operational Excellence Series is a practical learning program offered to Western employees involved in the administration of people, financial or other administrative processes across the University. The first of 14 courses was offered in August, 2015, and over the last 18 months, 315 administrators have participated. Operational Excellence was developed following a needs assessment … Continue reading "Managing Risk by Building Culture – Operational Excellence"

January 12, 2017

Changing the Course of Student Residences

Historically Vancouver Island University was a community college which served a local catchment area on Vancouver Island.  In 2008 an amendment to the University Act of BC designated VIU as a university.  This change began to have two effects on the campus.  Firstly, it drastically enlarged the catchment area of the institution and created demand … Continue reading "Changing the Course of Student Residences"

January 9, 2017

Facilities & Services (F&S) Invoice Workflow Project

he Facilities and Services Invoice Workflow initiative is transformative in many respects. The workflow software automates the department’s invoice payment process (25,000 invoices per year) and significantly increases productivity for over one hundred staff members located across the university. The system actively manages the invoice approval and processing cycle and reduces risk to the department … Continue reading "Facilities & Services (F&S) Invoice Workflow Project"

June 14, 2016

My Research Application & My Research Animal Protocols, RAISE (Research Administration Improvement & Systems Enhancement)

The University of Toronto strives to consistently rank among the top ten public universities in the world. The University, along with its affiliated teaching hospitals, receives in excess of $1 billion in research funding annually from external sponsors. Of this, the University directly administers approximately $400M for 3,900 U of T researchers arising from 3,500 … Continue reading "My Research Application & My Research Animal Protocols, RAISE (Research Administration Improvement & Systems Enhancement)"

June 13, 2016

Envision – Funding Sustainability: How energy management savings fund sustainable initiatives

In 1975 fuelled by rising energy prices and oil shortages the University of Alberta developed a highly successful energy management program. Building on its success, in 2009 the university recognized the potential to reimagine and broaden the impact this program and in 2011 the university launched the expanded next generation – Envision: Intelligent Energy Reduction. … Continue reading "Envision – Funding Sustainability: How energy management savings fund sustainable initiatives"

June 13, 2016

Winning Strategies For Managing Medical Leaves – A plan sponsor’s approach to absenteeism and managing medical absences

Managing absenteeism successfully in an era of limited resources and growing work demands necessitated a change in the Human Resources philosophy and organizational culture of StFX University. This presentation outlines the practices being used to support employees requiring medical absences. In strengthening vendor partnerships, promoting utilization of the Employee’s Assistance Program and early support of … Continue reading "Winning Strategies For Managing Medical Leaves – A plan sponsor’s approach to absenteeism and managing medical absences"

April 16, 2015

Memorial’s New Employee Orientation Program

Recognizing the value of orienting new employees into the university’s culture early in their career, Memorial’s Department of Human Resources (HR) developed a comprehensive, multi-component approach to new employee orientation. Through a needs assessment that included focus groups, research and a review of best practices, HR designed an innovative, economically sustainable program that integrates face-to-face … Continue reading "Memorial’s New Employee Orientation Program"

April 16, 2015

Optimization of the document acquisition process

The budget cuts now commonplace in Canadian universities put pressure on funding and the future of university libraries. In combination with the soaring costs of electronic documentation, this situation has forced the HEC Montréal library to be creative in streamlining its processes and adopt the means to fully carry out its mission in this difficult … Continue reading "Optimization of the document acquisition process"

April 16, 2015

University Manager 2015 Winter

Emergency Preparedness – part I: the importance of a Crisis Management Team/Emergency Operations Centre, Managing conflict: best practices in an academic setting Managing conflict: best practices in an academic setting

Tags: Academic, Communication, Emergency Management, Human Resources, Risk Management, University Manager, Workplace Behaviour

January 17, 2015

University Manager 2012 Summer

State of Mind – Addressing Mental Health Issues on University Campuses | Student Housing Workshop: A Thought Provoking Discussion | Effective Implementation of IT Governance – From Top to Bottom

Tags: Ancillary Services, Governance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Student Housing, Student Services, University Manager, Wellness and Mental Health

September 17, 2012