Changes to the Orientation program in 2008
As part of the University's commitment to improving transition and enhancing the 1st year experience, QUT will undertake a new approach to orientation in 2008. From semester 1, 2008 orientation will cover a broader period of time. The orientation period (which includes O Week) will now start from mid-January and continue through to Week 4, during which time students will be supported by a range of ongoing transition activities.
Also, in response to student feedback, O Week will be revitalised to provide a more entertaining introduction to QUT for students. In the upcoming year, the “circus” theme will underpin most student activities during O Week. Between noon and 2pm, each campus will host a variety of themed social activities including live bands, food stalls, games and information booths. Faculty and support services programs have been planned to draw greater numbers of students onto specific campuses on certain days of the week.
The O Week program in 2008 is as follows:
- Monday 18/02/2008: Gardens Point (BEE, Law), Kelvin Grove (Health)
- Tuesday 19/02/2008: Gardens Point & Kelvin Grove (International students)
- Wednesday 20/02/2008: Gardens Point (BUS, SCI, FIT)
- Thursday 21/02/2008: Kelvin Grove (Health, EDU, CI)
- Friday 22/02/2008: Kelvin Grove (Health, EDU, CI)
Please direct all enquiries regarding orientation in 2008 to the TILS Events Team Convenor, Judith Peacock (email: qut.tilsevents@qut.edu.au).
The Division will run the TILS Enquiries Desk during this period, both at Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove. Staff have been asked to participate in this initiative and are strongly encouraged to volunteer their time to assist in staffing the desk. Please direct all enquiries to the TILS Enquires Desk Coordinator, Andrew Fiedler (phone: 3138 2877 | email: a.fiedler@qut.edu.au).
2007 TILS Survey of Online Services
The TILS 2007 Survey was administered for a two week period in August to all current students, excluding first year students who were involved in the First Year Experience Survey (FYES). Since 2001, TILS has used these surveys to measure the extent with which students interact with our electronic environment by testing levels of usage, importance and satisfaction with selected electronic services. This year the scope of the survey was extended to include physical spaces (i.e. Library study spaces and central student computing labs).
The preliminary findings indicate that the overall level of satisfaction with online services has increased: from 72% in 2004 to 81% in 2007. More specifically, a comparison of 2001 and 2007 results reveals an increase of nearly 30% in the number of students satisfied or very satisfied with our online services.
Further information regarding these preliminary findings (including comparative graphs and tables) is available on the TILS Staff Intranet, or contact Patrice Meixsell-Draper (phone: 3138 1180 | email: p.meixsell-draper@qut.edu.au).
TILS Quinquennial Review planned for 2008
In accordance with QUT Policy on Corporate Reviews the Division will be reviewed in 2008. Corporate reviews are a core part of the University's planning and quality assurance (QA) frameworks. These reviews and their recommendations provide valuable input into strategic planning exercises. Their emphasis on self-review also offers the Division an opportunity for reflection, strategic positioning and continuous improvement. The panel chair has yet to be appointed but it is likely that the review will occur in April or May 2008. Planning is underway to collate documentation and records of the Division's achievements over the last 5 years.
Executive Officer, Kathy Wheeler will be coordinating the production of the Division’s review submission with others from across the Division. More information will be communicated to staff closer to the review commencement. Please direct all enquiries to Kathy Wheeler (phone: 3138 2716 | email: k.wheeler@qut.edu.au).
Congratulations to nominees for the VC’s staff awards
The 2007 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence ceremony was held on 31 October in recognition of the significant contribution and performance of QUT staff. The two award schemes presented during the ceremony were:
- Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence which are granted to staff “ who demonstrate sustained and outstanding achievements that are aligned to the University’s vision and goals” (MOPP B/5.1)
- Vice-Chancellor’s Performance Awards which “acknowledge and reward the outstanding achievement of individual academic and professional staff” (MOPP B/5.2)
Congratulations to Lyn McAllister and the Creative Industries Liaison Librarian Team who received Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in recognition for their outstanding contribution to the QUT community.
2007 recipient of Carrick Citations Awards
On 10 August, the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP announced the winners of the 2007 Carrick Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. Amongst the 7 QUT recipients, Judith Peacock (Library) was awarded for her involvement in the area of information literacy at QUT. As the Information Literacy Coordinator, she has done extensive work in developing and leading systemic and sustainable models of information literacy learning, to support students in becoming independent, discerning and masterful users of information.
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TALSS TV receives national recognition for work on "Project U"
In recent months TALSS TV has been recognised in several Australian media award schemes. In September they were awarded by the Australian Video Producers Association for “Best DVD Authoring” and “Best Music Clip” for their co-production of Project U with the Equity Section.
The same project was also short listed for the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) for Best Multi-Modal Production, Best Multimedia, Best Educational Multi-modal production, and Best Tertiary Music Video.
New divisional website
The new version of the TILS website (www.tils.qut.edu.au) was released in October. New features include a news outlet on the homepage and an expanded intranet for TILS staff and a new look and feel. The staff intranet in particular will continue to grow so as to provide further information about the committees, procedures and services which involve staff from across the Division.
Divisional folders and 2006 Strategic Achievements publications now available
New TILS A4 folders are available for staff preparing internal events, University visits and information packs. Copies of the TILS 2006 Strategic Achievements are also available to include in these packs or at service points and secretariat foyers across the Division.
Please direct requests to the TILS Communication Team qut.tilscomm@qut.edu.au, or the Staff Intranet (Communication Team) for further information regarding support for events and promotional initiatives.
