25 June 2012

RMIT Update - No. 25/2012, 25/06/2012

Read about the transition to Google, find out more about SAB, the results of the University Council elections, the earlier starting date for TAFE classes, next week's emedia outage, supporting WIL and more...

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Project updates

"GO day" is here - Melbourne staff have gone Google!

The Google Apps@RMIT project team is very proud to confirm that all Melbourne staff have gone Google.

Thank you to everyone in the University who supported our efforts to achieve this milestone over the weekend. The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive as staff come to realise the tremendous opportunities provided by Google Apps.

To maximise your effective use of Google Apps, all staff are encouraged to refer to the Gone Google checklist and work through the list of recommended activities.

If you require assistance, remember that a range of support options are available to staff including:

• Google Apps@RMIT website
• Ask your local Google Guru
• Drop-in centres
• Online and face-to-face training
• "Gone Google" roadshows are also being scheduled as a follow up to the recent "Get set" series.

We'll also be publishing a series of hints over the next two weeks, so check into the above site daily for the latest installment. The IT Service Desk will also answer your Google related queries.

[Source: Catherine Haugh, Project Manager, Information Technology Services]

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21 days till SAB opens

Come and see inside the completed Swanston Academic Building. There will be two presentations for all RMIT staff who are not part of the College of Business in the week before SAB opens. These presentations provide staff with a unique opportunity to learn about SAB and view parts of RMIT's newest building before it becomes fully operational. This marks the end of construction at SAB (Building 80).

The presentations will include:

• An introduction by the Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and Vice-President, Professor Ian Palmer
• Cover the journey of the SAB to completion
• Introduce the teaching and learning spaces
• Cover ITS/AV facilities and functions
• Discuss FAQs
• End with a Q and A session

Dates: Wednesday, 11 July, and Thursday, 12 July
Time: 12.15pm - 1.45pm, light refreshments provided
Venue: Building 80 (SAB), level 2, lecture theatre
RSVP: Essential via email with one of the subjects: SAB Wednesday 11 July, or SAB Thursday 12 July, by 5pm, Friday, 6 July

[Source: Aleng Joses, University Events and Venues]

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The Business Library has closed. Now what?

The Business Library closed its doors for the last time on Friday. All efforts are focused on a swift and effective move to Swanston Library, where the collections will be interfiled and student furniture and computers set up. Extended study spaces are currently being renovated at Swanston Library to accommodate the former patrons of the Business Library. We aim to have the move complete and new spaces open by 16 July. Stay up-to-date with the integration of the Business Library and Swanston Library.

[Source: Rowan Mangan, RMIT University Library]

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Are you ready to teach in SAB?

The SAB Learning and Teaching Professional Development Program begins this week with drop-in sessions in Building 108, level 8, room 22. The Business Academic Development Group and project teams from Information Technology Services will be available to answer your learning and teaching questions, and provide opportunities to see a demonstration of myDesktop and to use the specialist collaborative software application.

The L and T and IT Essentials tours for sessional staff, and Learning and Teaching walk-throughs will start on Monday, 9 July, in SAB. These activities will provide opportunities to engage with the physical spaces before classes start.

For specific details and registration information, including video resources and learning and teaching space quick guides, view the SAB blog's learning and teaching section.

[Source: Tass Katsoulidis, College of Business]

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Windows 7 and Office 2010 upgrade

Over the semester break, we began the upgrade of student computers in labs, libraries and teaching spaces across Melbourne to Windows 7 and Office 2010. This technology will also introduce substantial sustainability gains through RMIT's Think Print Think Green initiative.

With more than 1,000 computers already done and about 4,000 still to go, we have a big task in front of us, but we are on track to complete this activity for the start of Semester 2, for TAFE and Higher Education.

Windows 7 and Office 2010 will deliver a new look and feel along with greater productivity and improved useability. A website is currently being created which will provide you with tools and resources to assist you during this change. The website link will be provided next week.

[Source: Julianne Dowse, Information Technology Services]

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In brief

University Council election results

Voting for the 2012-2014 TAFE teaching and General Staff member positions on University Council recently ended. The following candidates have been elected for a term of 30 months expiring on 31 December, 2014:

1. Peter Murphy, Member elected by the TAFE teaching staff
2. Jeanette Pierce, Member elected by the General staff

[Source: Returning Officer, University Elections]

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Semester 2 start date for TAFE brought forward

TAFE classes started back today for Semester 2, earlier than originally timetabled. More than 15,000 TAFE students were informed of the changes to Semester 2 dates via email from the Vice-Chancellor. Students have been advised to contact their schools for further information. View the Vice-Chancellor's message. A script has been devised for TAFE staff to assist with any student queries.

[Source: Liz Kirkovski, Office of Director TAFE]

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Reminder: Emedia outage next week

This is a final reminder about the hardware upgrade to the emedia web server that is scheduled for the week beginning next Monday, 2 July. This upgrade should provide genuine improvements to site responsiveness and stability. It will affect all websites that include "emedia.rmit.edu.au" in the URL (pages from RMIT's web publishing system are not affected).

An outage of a full week is planned for the upgrade, but we expect most sites will be fully functional by close of business on Wednesday, 4 July. The mid-year break has been chosen to minimise any impact on staff and students. During this time, site visitors may not be able to access affected sites and some content may not display as expected. Any edits made to sites may be lost, so updates should not be made during this time.

[Source: Bill Lane, Educational Technology Advancement Group]

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Keep informed about the status of RMIT's IT services

Scheduled ICT maintenance downtime exists to deliver improvements to your work, your experience at RMIT and to the way that we work with technology in the future. Check the ICT service status webpage for an up-to-date, consolidated list of all scheduled service work.

This week the webpage has important information for users of:

• RMIT Library catalogue services
• Blackboard

• eMedia websites

If you have any queries, please contact the IT Service Desk on 58888. For information about upcoming projects and milestones that ITS is working on, view the ITS calendar.

[Source: Steven Petrenko, Information Technology Services]

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Supporting work-integrated learning across RMIT

RMIT has a university-wide business plan project to improve graduate employment and satisfaction and strengthen RMIT's reputation for industry-relevant education and training. Central to this is improving work-integrated learning (WIL) systems and processes. This transformation will take up to three years.

The first phase of the project includes consulting a wide range of staff on current WIL systems and process between now and September. The expected benefits of improving WIL systems and processes include:

• Improved support for staff administering WIL
• Increased student satisfaction with WIL
• A consistent experience for industry and community host organisations
• Shared best practice in WIL administration
• Improved reporting capabilities for WIL

View details and have your say.

[Source: Judie Kay, Student Services]

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New Compliance Education module for all VET staff

All TAFE teaching and management staff are required to complete a new online module which provides fundamental information about the new VET Quality Framework (former AQTF) and regulatory requirements under ASQA. It is mandatory for staff employed under the TAFE Teaching Staff Agreement and is also highly recommended for sessional and professional staff working in VET programs. It will equip you with knowledge of the VQF Standards and our compliance responsibilities at provider and delivery levels. It goes live on Monday, 9 July.

The module will be accessed at the HR Compliance Education webpage (login required) and is called "Your Work Practice under the VQF" (under Module Quick Links). Access from a non-RMIT computer is also possible using login details listed on the page.

Staff will have one month to complete the module and regular reminders and reports will be sent to Schools and individuals. View details.

[Source: Marilyn Capper, Office of Director TAFE]

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Offshore graduation ceremonies deadline

Students who have completed their program of study, or who will complete by the end of Semester 1, and wish to graduate in an offshore graduation ceremony must apply to graduate by this Friday, 29 June. Students who do not apply to graduate by then will not be able to graduate at an offshore ceremony this year.

The RMIT offshore graduation ceremonies will be held on the following dates:

• Kuala Lumpur: Saturday, 15 September, 12pm, Intercontinental Hotel
• Hong Kong: Sunday, 16 September, 12pm, The Grand Hyatt
• Singapore: Monday, 17 September, 7.30pm, Sheraton Towers

Students can apply to graduate online.

[Source: Rena Rigoni, Academic Registrar's Group]

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What research funding could learn from Kickstarter

Imagine if you asked for a research grant of $100,000 and they gave you $1.2 million (or even $10 million). That's how Kickstarter works, sometimes. The latest Research Whisperer post talks about what funding agencies could learn from Kickstarter.

[Source: Jonathan O'Donnell, College of Design and Social Context]

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Fresh Science deadline extended

The deadline for applications for Fresh Science has been extended until this Friday, 29 June. Fresh Science is for researchers no more than five years after their PhD and teaches them essential communication skills and how to get their stories out to local, national and international media.

This year there are state finals - a day of media training and a public event - so there are even more chances for young scientists to get some communication experience. Tell any early-career scientists you know that it's easy to apply - they just need to have a go at explaining their work in plain English and get a supervisor, a mentor or someone else who knows their work to nominate them. Nominate online. Now in its 15th year, Fresh Science is supported by New Scientist and Museum Victoria.

[Source: Niall Byrne, Science in Public]

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In one ear and out the other

The Health Innovations Research Institute invites you to a seminar by Professor Gary Housley (PDF 1.02 MB), Chair of Physiology and Director of the Translational Neuroscience Facility in the School of Medical Sciences, UNSW.

Professor Housley's research looks at sensori-motor control mechanisms, particularly the processes of sound transduction and neurotransmission in the cochlea. He also explores the signalling mechanisms associated with neural development and repair, ischaemic brain injury, and purinergic signalling in the nervous system. Professor Housley has patents in the fields of drug development for noise-induced hearing loss and gene therapy for neural regeneration associated with cochlear bionics.

Title: In one ear and out the other - neurohumoral mechanisms for feedback control of hearing sensitivity
Date: Tuesday, 26 June
Time: 4pm
Venue: Building 207, level 2, room 2, Bundoora campus
RSVP: Michelle Nicolo on 56606

[Source: Michelle Nicolo, Health Innovations Research Institute]

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New RMIT Gallery exhibitions

Three new RMIT Gallery exhibitions open this Thursday, 28 June from 6pm to 8pm. They are:

• Yulyurlyu: Lorna Fencer Napurrurla, from Friday, 29 June to 25 August. The first major exhibition of one of Australia's most prominent and experimental desert artists. Yulyurlu was known for her strong personality and independent nature, which is emulated in her expressive and colourful works that highlight the stories of her ancestral lands.. Public program on Friday, 29 June, 12pm - 1pm: Margie West curator talk.
• Stars of the Tokyo Stage: Natori Shunsen's kabuki actor prints, Friday, 29 June to 25 August. This exhibition from the National Gallery of Australia is the first time a complete set of prints by Natori Shunsen (1886 - 1960) has been exhibited in Australia and includes kabuki costumes rarely seen off the stage. Public Program on Thursday, 26 July, 12pm -1pm: Lucie Folan, curator talk.
• Kindness/Udarta: Australia-India Cultural Exchange is a cross-cultural celebration of the link between Australia and India, featuring more than 117 writers and visual artists, including Thomas Keneally, Alexis Wright, Les Murray, Robyn Beeche, Kiran Nagakar, Haku Shah, Giriraj Prasad, Nalini Malani and Seema Kohli.

[Source: Evelyn Tsitas, RMIT Gallery]

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Stopping over in Singapore?

If you happen to travel or stop over in Singapore at the end of the month, why not visit the graduate exhibition of our RMIT-SIM Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) students? The exhibit, End for End, showcases the students' interpretations of connections, creativity and community.

Title: End for End
Date: 30 June - 2 July
Time: Opening Night: 6pm - 9.30pm
Venue: The Arts House Gallery, 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore

[Source: Wendy Little, School of Media and Communication]

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Calling all Canadians

A Canada Day lunch has been scheduled for Thursday, 28 June, at a restaurant near the City campus, starting at 12pm. Staff and students welcome. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to April Weiss for location details. We look forward to celebrating Canada's birthday with you.

[Source: Dr April Weiss, Information Technology Services]

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Design Challenge launch

Professor Mark Burry, Director of the Design Research Institute, invites you to the 2012 Design Challenge: Ageing launch. Find out how the Design Challenge works and the priorities, ideas and resources around Ageing. Bring information and questions to share, flag your interest in forming a team or link with others who have complementary ideas and expertise.

Date: Wednesday, 4 July
Time: 6pm - 7.30pm, light refreshments provided
Venue: City of Melbourne Bowls Club, Flagstaff Gardens, West Melbourne
RSVP: By this Friday, 29 June, via email or to Sarah on 54621

[Source: Design Research Institute]

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Rediscovering Social Democracy

The Globalization and Culture Program in the Global Cities Research Institute presents this free lecture exploring social democratic responses to contemporary issues facing Australian society. Speakers are Professor Manfred B Steger, Associate Professor Andrew Scott and Tony Piccolo, Member for Light in the South Australian Parliament, and Australian Labor Party member for more than 30 years.

Date: Thursday, 5 July
Time: 6pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Research Lounge, entry via Building 8, level 5
Cost: Free, but bookings essential
RSVP: Via email by Thursday, 28 June

[Source: Melissa Postma, Global Cities Research Institute]

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City Fitness early bird staff promotion

City Fitness is welcoming staff into Semester 2 with an early bird promotion for both your physical and financial health. Join the gym to avoid joining fees and find out just how cheap it is to salary sacrifice your membership. As a bonus we are giving new members the opportunity to book a free personal training sample pack before the official sale begins. This will be taken by our fantastic trainers Camille and Justin and is valued at $60.

Already a member? We have something for you too. Refer a colleague to City Fitness and receive two weeks' free membership or a free exercise program valued at $40. Early bird sale starts today. Personal training bookings available from Monday, 16 July. Spots are limited, so book in advance.

To find out more about these great offers email us or contact us on 52874.

[Source: Ivana Andres, RMIT City Fitness]

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Yoga for staff

Yoga for staff will run from 2 July to 17 September at City and Bundoora campuses on Mondays from 12.30pm - 1.30pm.

You will experience a range of relaxation techniques, stretches for office bodies and strengthening work to support the spine. The course is suitable for beginners and those with experience of yoga.

Email for costs, exact dates and locations. You can also attend casually.

[Source: Katie de Araujo, Body Centred Living]

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How to contribute

Contributions to this newsletter must be sent as an unformatted email message with no attachments to rmit.update@rmit.edu.au before 2pm on Thursday for distribution on Monday. The word limit for contributions is 150 words. Do not send personal items, press releases, items that require uploading to the web or repeat articles. View Writing for RMIT Update guidelines (login required).

Only items that relate to the University's core activities will be published. To ensure RMIT Update is distributed on time, we cannot accept late contributions.

The deadline for the next edition, No.26 2012, is 2pm Thursday, 28 June, for distribution on Monday, 2 July.

If you have any comments or queries, please email rmit.update@rmit.edu.au. RMIT Update is produced by Marketing and Communications (login required).

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Useful links

Other useful RMIT web sites are available from the staff essentials web page.

More news is available on the news for staff web page.

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