13 August 2012

RMIT Update - No. 32/2012, 13/08/2012

Read about paving works outside SAB, changes to the University's contacts directory, information about next year's TAFE fees, Apply Direct system enhancements, the Get your RMIT style on competition and more...

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Project updates

Paving works outside of SAB, Building 80

The City of Melbourne will continue paving works on the west side of Swanston Street, between A'Beckett and Franklin streets, from Saturday, 25 August, until Sunday, 2 September.

The paving works coincide with the mid-semester break for both Higher Education and TAFE students and there is minimal teaching in SAB, Building 80.

Please note that the Swanston Street west-side footpath will be closed for this period. Access to Building 80 will be via the A'Beckett Street (side) entrance and the Stewart Street (rear) entrances. Access for people with mobility issues is available via Stewart Street.

Alternative access to Building 39 is also being arranged via Property Services' Managers, Client Relations.

Property Services continues to liaise with our building occupants along Swanston Street and further information will be provided to the University community as we receive it from the City of Melbourne.

[Source: Brian Boardman, Property Services]

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Finding Vietnam staff details just got easier

From today, Monday 13 August, Vietnam staff details will appear in the RMIT Contacts Directory as the Vietnam Beta release goes live. This milestone means you will be able to search for and use email addresses of your colleagues in Vietnam. It will streamline communication between the campuses and bring us one step closer to making real-time collaboration with our Vietnam colleagues a reality.

Stay tuned for more announcements regarding the full release of Google Apps to Vietnam staff later this year. If you have any queries about Google Apps, please contact the IT Service Desk or visit the Google Apps@RMIT site.

[Source: Catherine Haugh, ITS]

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Help us improve RMIT's reporting and analysis capability

The recently established Business Intelligence Project is considering ways to improve and expand the reporting and analysis capability across RMIT.

As part of this work, and to help inform the requirements for any enterprise reporting tools, we are keen to find out what (and how) tools are currently used across the University.

If reporting forms a large component of your role and/or you undertake a lot of data analysis, the project team would be grateful if you could complete this five-minute survey by Friday, 17 August.

If you have any queries, please contact Niall Ridge on 50751.

[Source: Robert Webster, Policy and Planning]

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In brief

Postgraduate Commonwealth supported equity places scheme closure

The Australian Government has advised RMIT that its Postgraduate Commonwealth supported equity places scheme is an inappropriate use of Commonwealth-supported places (CSPs). The scheme will therefore cease, effective 2013.

As the deadline for the last round of applications has passed, no further students can apply for the scheme. References to the scheme have been removed from the RMIT website and publications, including the Postgraduate Guide 2013.

Students who already have a place under the scheme will remain in a CSP while they finish their program/course. Should students choose to discontinue their program, they will not be able to reapply for the scheme.

Eligible students who were expecting to apply for the scheme should be advised that many programs continue to offer CSPs, or they may still be eligible for FEE-HELP with a full-fee paying place. Eligible students are also encouraged to apply for RMIT and Commonwealth scholarships.

[Source: Nevine Khalifa, ARG]

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Midyear review drop-in lab

Now is the time to review and document your progress in preparation for your midyear review conversation. Come along to one of our drop-in labs to:

• Build your Performance Workplan
• Seek advice about any aspect of the workplanning processes at RMIT
• Build confidence in using the system
• Use tools and resources available to you

[Source: Lisa Flaherty, Human Resources]

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2013 TAFE fees information now available

The 2013 TAFE fees price book is now available on the TAFE fees website. An email was sent to all current RMIT TAFE students from the Vice-Chancellor before Open Day, advising them of the change in tuition fees for 2013 and the fee assistance that is available to eligible students in the form of fee concession and VET FEE-HELP.

The Vice-Chancellor's message is available on the TAFE fees website, was emailed to students by the Office of Director TAFE and was posted as an announcement in myRMIT.

For more information about 2013 TAFE tuition fees, students should be referred to:

• the Hub on their campus
• the Student Administration Support Line on 58980, Monday to Friday during business hours

Prospective students should be referred to Info Corner.

[Source: Christine Robertson, Office of Director TAFE]

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Vice Chancellor's Senior Research and Vice Chancellor's Research Fellowship Schemes

Recruitment for the 2012 Vice Chancellor's Senior Research and Vice Chancellor's Research Fellowships is now open. Senior Research Fellows are appointed for four years with $50,000 research support over the appointment. Research Fellows are appointed for three years with $15,000 research support over the appointment.

Awardees will undertake outstanding research to deliver excellent research outcomes, attract external research funding and publish in high-quality outlets. Since inception, these schemes have resulted in 26 nationally and internationally recognised researchers being appointed to Schools and aligned with Research Institutes.

Fellowship applications close on Sunday, 2 September, and must be submitted through the Employment opportunities web page.

[Source: June Anderson, Research and Innovation]

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Apply Direct system enhancements

Internal applications and equity applications have now been added as new features in Apply Direct, the online application system for domestic applicants.

The availability of internal applications means that current students and recent graduates of RMIT will no longer need to apply for a new RMIT program via VTAC. Internal applicants also benefit from having their application pre-populated with personal details from their student record, and the ability to apply for a broader range of programs.

At the completion of their program application, applicants will now be able to apply online to the University for consideration on equity grounds. If you have a query about the Apply Direct system or admissions processes and procedures, contact Direct Admissions.

[Source: Nevine Khalifa, ARG]

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VET compliance instructions webpage

A new webpage of compliance instructions for VET program administration is now available. The new page provides instructions to ensure compliance with the University's Service Agreement with the State Government and other regulatory requirements. The instructions and guidelines on the page are grouped under activities such as enrolment (eligibility/evidence of participation) and assessment/completion.

The page includes a substantial updated instruction on managing requirements for trainees and apprentices. The new webpage and instructions have been approved by the Director TAFE on the recommendation of the Vocational Education and Training Committee. It will be updated as new compliance instructions are developed and approved.

Staff responsible for administration of VET programs are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new page.

[Source: Dr Kai Jensen, ARG]

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Keep informed about the status of RMIT's IT services

The ICT service status page keeps you informed of all scheduled maintenance. Keep your eye on this page to make sure that our service improvements occur without disruption to your work. This week the webpage includes important information about:

• Print Direct
• Building 36 digital signs
• Telephone system

A 24-hour outage of multiple learning and teaching systems has also been scheduled for Wednesday, 29 August. This will impact Blackboard, Learning Hub, Lectopia, myRMIT studies page, Web Farm and Web Learn

View the above webpage for a full list of affected systems. If you have any queries, please contact the IT Service Desk on 58888. For information about upcoming ITS projects and milestones view the ITS calendar.

[Source: Steven Petrenko, ITS]

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Make sure your students get a Career Health Check

If your students are graduating they can improve their chances of a job after uni with a Career Health Check. What is it? A Career Health Check is where students can:

• Get their resume reviewed, face-to-face
• Get coaching on how to perform better in interviews
• Learn where to look for the jobs that matter to them
• Plan their career

Why should your students check it out?

• It's free
• To get inside knowledge on what employers want and how to shape their applications to impress them
• To have their job application/s given the once over by a career expert before they hit send/submit

Make sure your students are job ready with a Career Health Check. This service is supported by the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

[Source: James Hannan, Student Services]

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2013 student diary advertising

The 2013 RMIT student diary is an A5, leather-bound, section-sewn bound, 12-month diary with full-colour advertising throughout. It has a circulation of 40,000 copies and is provided to TAFE, degree and postgraduate students at the City, Brunswick and Bundoora campuses.

Bookings for advertising and discount vouchers are now open. The booking and artwork deadline is 5pm on Friday, 17 August. Contact Marianna Pettolino for information and rates.

[Source: Marianna Pettolino, University Events and Venues]

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Get your RMIT style on competition

We're inviting all Melbourne staff and students with a creative eye to redesign the look and feel of RMIT's hoodies and t-shirts. If you think you can capture RMIT's brand personality through a cool and creative visual graphic then enter online for your chance to share in almost $4,000 of cash and prizes. The winning designs will become part of RMIT's merchandise range.

[Source: Natasha Lyubic, Engagement]

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Give students project feedback

Feel like giving someone some constructive feedback? This semester third-year PR and advertising students have co-created some ground-breaking ideas for their final projects/campaigns. For the first time, advertising and PR students have been assigned to work together, which has resulted in some interesting outcomes. Right now they need some feedback on their joint efforts.

Date: Tuesday, 21 August
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Venue: Radio Theatre, Building 9, level 1, City campus

For further information contact Narelle (advertising) or Jenny (PR).

[Source: Narelle Lancaster, School of Media and Communication]

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RMIT EU Centre: International Visiting Fellowship 2012-13

As part of its current work program, the RMIT EU Centre has established a grant of up to $6,000 to assist with accommodation and travel costs for an International Visiting Fellow from the European Union.

This grant is to help an academic group in RMIT attract an international leader, expert in their field, who will visit the University and present lectures, seminars or other activities relevant to teaching, learning and research, ideally before 30 April next year.

Preference will be given to applicants from one of the following fields, which are in accordance with the RMIT strategic priorities for research and development:

• The future of cities
• Improving health and lifestyle
• Smart technology solutions
• Designing the future
• Sustainability and climate change challenges

This does not however, exclude candidates from other fields. Please note that the closing date for applications is Friday, 31 August. View details and access application forms.

[Source: Kelly Bosman, College of Design and Social Context]

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Learning and Teaching Investment Fund information sessions

The new priorities for next year's Learning and Teaching Investment Fund projects include:

• Enhancing the student cohort experience
• Improving student retention
• Embedding "design thinking" and technology into the curriculum to develop innovative programs
• Designing or redesigning sustainable offshore programs
• Redesigning programs for flexible delivery modes, including Open Universities Australia
• Implementing AQF and TEQSA requirements
• Enhancing sessional staff professional development

The LTIF creates opportunities to try out new ideas and new ways of doing things. Applications for funding in 2013 are due to be lodged with the Colleges on Friday, 5 October. Information sessions to assist potential applicants will be held next week in the city and Bundoora. If you have an idea for a project that will transform teaching, please come along.

• Monday, 20 August, 12.30pm - 2pm, Storey Hall seminar rooms 3 and 4, Building 16, level 7, City campus
• Tuesday, 21 August, 12.30pm - 2pm, Building 206, level 2, room 4, Bundoora campus

[Source: Dr Diana Cousens, Learning and Teaching Unit]

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The latest from the teaching tomtom

Having a long-term strategy for grants and awards is the focus of a recent post on DSC's blog, the teaching tomtom. Associate Professor Kym Fraser writes on "Applying for a teaching award next year? Start collecting your evidence this semester".

Associate Professor Fraser also provides a strategy for those about to start writing a teaching award: "Who you are and what you are trying to achieve with your students needs to come through in the first page of your application. You need to tell the reader a story that sets the context and scene. Keep in mind that the person assessing your application may not know anything about your discipline, your students or even your institution if the application is for a national award ..."

This week the blog has a guest blogger from the ANU, Rod Pitcher, looking at useful metaphors for the PhD process: "A useful metaphor for writing the thesis is weaving. The long warp threads represent the strands of the thesis, such as the literature, the methodology and the intermediate results. The cross threads, the weft, represent the work done at that particular stage. The material, the thesis, can be seen to progress as more and more weft is added to the warp to produce finished material ..."

Recent topics on the teaching tomtom:

• Improving attendance or reshaping the whole gig?
• Course Guides: Bloomin' verbs
• Teaching Awards - worth the paperwork?

[Source: Jon Hurford, College of Design and Social Context]

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The Research Whisperer on grant applications

Grant applications are a genre of their own. The Research Whisperer's post, "What do the headings mean?" provides a key to understanding what funding agencies are looking for.

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

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2012 Design Challenge: Ageing - priming session

Researchers, students, designers, manufacturers, service providers or community organisations with an interest in, or experience of the issues around ageing are invited to a priming session as a part of the 2012 Design Challenge: Ageing.

If you already have a Design Challenge proposal idea, find out more about where to access information, the work being done in the sector and meet potential team members. The session will include a series of short presentations from four experts with very diverse perspectives: Professor Donald Campbell, Southern Health; Olivia Ng, Coordinator Ageing and Inclusion Community Development; Alex Nock, Director, Nock Architecture; and Paul Taylor, Creative Director, Design + Industry, followed by Q and A.

Title: Priming session
Date: Tuesday, 14 August
Time: 12pm - 2pm, light refreshments provided
Venue: The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street

[Source: Romaine Logere, School of Architecture and Design]

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Cooking and nutrition class

RUSU Realfoods organic fairtrade cafe presents: "Real Soul Food" cooking and nutrition class. Indulge in an evening of nourishing living food recipe demonstrations and enlightening healthy lifestyle advice with our special guest chef Julie Mitsios of Sydney's culinary school Conscious Choice.

Can you still eat soul food and comfort food without sacrificing your health? Learn how to replace ingredients that don't love you back with delicious, satisfying alternatives.

Date: Tuesday, 14 August
Time: 6pm - 8.30pm (check-in from 5.30pm)
Venue: RUSU Realfoods, Building 8, level 4 foodcourt, City campus
Cost: Gold coin donation to charity

Organic, fairtrade, vegan, gluten-free and raw meals, drinks, snacks and desserts available for cash-only purchase on the night. Enquiries to Lucy Stegley on 59791.

[Source: Lucy Stegley, RUSU]

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Free public lecture by Steve Frykholm of Herman Miller, USA

You are invited to a special public lecture by Steve Frykholm, international award-winning creative director of Herman Miller, USA. Steve Frykholm has directed Herman Miller's graphic identity for 42 years.

His iconic work has been widely published and exhibited at institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, The Cooper-Hewtitt and National Design Museum.

In 2007 he was made an AIGA Fellow, and in 2010 he received the AIGA Medal, the highest recognition from AIGA, the professional association for design. He's recognised as an annual report legend in Graphis, and an American design icon in the 50th Anniversary issue of Communication Arts.

As the creative director and vice president of Herman Miller, Mr Frykholm has demonstrated the ability of great design to influence business and has in turn influenced many corporations to follow suit.

Date: Thursday, 16 August
Time: 6pm
Venue: Swanston Academic Building, Building 80, level 1 lecture theatre, City campus

[Source: Kelly Bosman, College of Design and Social Context]

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Fulbright lecture

The Australian-American Fulbright Commission is a non-profit organisation, established in Australia through a binational treaty between the Australian and United States governments in 1949 under the auspices of the United States Educational Foundation in Australia (USEFA).

Fulbright Scholarships support students and scholars - chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential - to research and study in each others countries, exchange ideas and develop bilateral relations and connections to address common issues.

Tom Healy, Chairman of the US Fullbright Commission will present a public lecture on the Australian-American Fulbright Scholarships program to explain the opportunities it provides. All staff and students are welcome to attend.

Date: Thursday, 16 August
Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm
Venue: Storey Hall Auditorium, Building 16, level 5, City campus
RSVP: via email (write "Fullbright" in the subject)

[Source: Andrew Wild, University Events and Venues]

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Annual Chaplaincy lecture

The Annual Chaplaincy Lecture is scheduled for later this month. This year's lecture will be given by Dr Gerard Vaughan AM, former director of the National Gallery of Victoria.

Title: The fine arts in the formation of the global citizen
Date: Thursday, 30 August
Time: 5.30pm
Venue: Emily McPherson Building, Building 13, level 3, room 9, followed by light refreshments in the Spiritual Centre, Building 11, City campus
RSVP: via email

[Source: Laura Kretiuk, Student Services]

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Student Leadership Conference

On Friday, 7 September, RMIT LEAD will host the inaugural RMIT Student Leadership Conference. This half-day leadership conference is targeted at current RMIT students interested in leadership development. The conference aims to give students insights into leadership, in particular, how leadership occurs in different settings in informal and formal ways.

It will provide students with the opportunity to examine ways to further develop their abilities and connect them to other opportunities available through the RMIT community. The conference also provides an opportunity for students to hear from recent alumni from different backgrounds.

Spaces are limited so attendance is by application. Students can apply via our website. For further information please contact RMIT LEAD.

[Source: Heather Frentz-Carothers, Student Services]

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RMIT's Landscape Architecture students at Grand Designs Live

Grand Designs Live is Australia's newest premium home show, held for the first time in Melbourne from 21 to 23 September and returning to Sydney for its second year on 5 to7 October. RMIT's Landscape Architecture students will be showing off their work at this amazing event.

As a result, RMIT staff and students can take up a special offer for two-for-one passes. Each double pass is valued at $57 but can be bought for $28.50. This offer is limited and available only until Friday, 31 August. To redeem this offer, visit the website and enter the promotional code FURNITURE when booking.

[Source: Kelly Bosman, College of Design and Social Context]

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Sports and Arts news from RMIT Link

Cycle around the bay with Team RMIT. Registrations are now open for this year's BUPA Around the Bay, Australia's largest charity cycling event. Entrants receive a free RMIT cycling jersey.

Register for the Melbourne marathon. Get your running shoes on, get fit and raise money for charity. You'll receive a free RMIT team singlet.

Three new exhibitions open at First Site Gallery. Not just meat joy by Katie Parish, Argh! by Alexander Johnson and Drawing a Language by Joshua Hook and James Little. Opening night, Tuesday, 14 August; exhibitions run to Friday, 24 August. First Site Gallery is in the Basement, 344 Swanston Street.

RMIT Idol, RMIT's official singing competition, begins this week. Come and watch the best RMIT singers compete for cash prizes.

Date: Tuesday, 14 August
Time: 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Venue: Building 8, Level 4, City campus cafeteria

View details for all events.

[Source: Cassandra Scott, RMIT Link]

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Outdoor training with City Fitness

We understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and want to help balance your busy work life by bringing back outdoor training this spring. RMIT City Fitness will be running outdoor training sessions on Tuesdays from 7.30am, starting on 11 September.

The training sessions are 50-minute high-intensity workouts and will be run by two of our professional and dedicated personal trainers in Alumni Courtyard. The sessions will incorporate a wide variety of exercises including quick-step ladder, hurdle sprints, med-balls, power training and more.

Outdoor training is just $70 for six weeks or $120 for all 12 weeks (save $20). There is also the option to salary-sacrifice this cost to gain additional savings. Please call 52874, email or come in for more information. Please note that non gym members will need to have a $20 fitness consultation prior to training.

[Source: Ivana Andres, RMIT City Fitness]

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Free information sessions: Fitness for Women

As part of our commitment to promoting health and wellbeing, RMIT City Fitness will be holding two free information sessions on the topic of Fitness for Women.

These sessions will be presented by qualified City Fitness staff members Camille, Mel and Lauren, who will be discussing the often controversial and confusing information surrounding women's fitness and health.

Join us to have all your questions answered. For more information on the topics covered please contact City Fitness on 52874 or email.

Part 1: Tuesday, 21 August, 1pm - 1.30pm
Part 2: Tuesday, 28 August, 1pm - 1.30pm
Venue: RMIT Student Union meeting room, Building 8, level 3, room 18, City campus

[Source: Ivana Andres, RMIT City Fitness]

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Self-defence for women

RMIT Link has organised a self-defence course for women (PDF 346.78 KB) with the support of the RMIT Kung Fu Club and RMIT City Fitness. All ages and levels of fitness are welcome.

Instructor Anne Pang is highly qualified. She has been teaching self-defence for decades in universities, schools and community centres. The course will be run across three Saturdays in September on City campus. It is subsidised by RMIT Link so the price for RMIT students is just $20, and $150 for the general public.

[Source: Francisco Sanchez-Vizcaino, RMIT Kung Fu Club]

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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.33 2012, is 2pm Thursday, 16 August, for distribution on Monday, 20 August.

If you have any comments or queries, please email rmit.update@rmit.edu.au. RMIT Update is produced by Engagement (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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