News

Program for change at ACU to enable our future

Australian Catholic University (ACU) has released the last of three change management plans under the Enabling our Future Case for Change which outlined the university’s vision for a sustainable future that will deliver a world-class student experience, build an integrated model for research excellence, and provide operational services that support teaching and research.

The Operations Draft Change Management plan proposes a restructuring of university-wide operational services to support ACU’s teaching and research endeavours.

The plan proposes a standardisation of portfolio and faculty professional services, including the introduction of a professional services hub model. It also proposes consistency of positions, levels, and spans of control to reduce the complexity of processes and communications and provide for a more efficient, effective service delivery.

This follows an Academic and Education plan that set out changes to better integrate research across the university, and to streamline student services.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Dr Stephen Weller said that the program of transformation was both an opportunity and an imperative to create a stronger, more agile and sustainable institution.

“ACU is currently going through a program of change management to address a funding shortfall, prioritise delivery of a world-class student experience, implement an integrated model for research excellence, and optimise operational services to support teaching and research.

Dr Weller acknowledged that such changes involve a loss of roles and integration of work areas. “These plans involve making challenging decisions that inevitably have personal cost and we are mindful of our commitment to ensure the dignity and respect of our staff throughout the process.”

For further queries about the change management process, please refer to FAQ.