The University is inviting staff to consider a proposed variation to the ANU Enterprise Agreement which would mean forgoing the upcoming 2.5 per cent salary increase scheduled for 19 December 2024. This action would save up to $15 million. As this would constitute a change to the Enterprise Agreement, the proposal requires agreement from a majority vote of staff.  

Voluntarily foregoing the anticipated December salary increase will actively support the financial stability of our ANU community. The Vice-Chancellor recently announced that she would be reducing her salary by ten per cent in recognition of the sacrifice being asked of staff for the future of our University. Additionally, the University has asked senior staff to also forgo their upcoming salary increase, regardless of the outcome of the EA variation, which could see savings of more than $1 million for the University. 

You are encouraged to read the proposed variation as well as access the available information, FAQ and resources so you have a clear understanding of what the proposal entails.  This will ensure you can make an informed decision when it’s time to vote next week, from Monday 18 November 2024. 

Please see the variation website for more information on the variation and staff ballot process. Questions and feedback can be sent to ea.comments@anu.edu.au. 

An information session is being held at 2pm tomorrow. You can register here.

Over the past few weeks, the University has been working through the feedback received in relation to the ANU Academic Colleges Realignment Plan (Renew ANU) and the ANU College of Health and Medicine Organisational Change Proposal and preparing the Implementation Plans.

These Implementation Plans will be released to the ANU community this Thursday 14 November 2024. Thank you for your continued engagement with and commitment to these processes.

Over the last few weeks I’ve participated in ten townhall-style meetings discussing Renew ANU and proposed changes to our organisational structure.   

The consultative change processes in place at ANU have provided the opportunity for discussions on the impact of proposed changes, alternative proposals aiming to achieve similar savings goals, and what other things we could be doing to find savings beyond wages and salaries.   

The strong engagement from our community in the consultation process has seen some excellent suggestions put forward that we are considering and we are grateful for your contributions and ask that we continue this dialogue.   

There has also been a consistent theme across colleges and portfolios of our staff seeking a greater understanding of the university’s finances, our financial position and financial strategies.   

To meet this demand, I will be holding a finance townhall meeting by Zoom on Thursday 12th December 2024 that will be open to any ANU staff member. At this townhall I will give a presentation on the University’s historical financial position and a range of measures required to address our financial sustainability. I will also be joined by some finance managers from across ANU who will explain how University-wide financial strategies are implemented at local levels.   

Details on how to register for this townhall will be provided in next week’s On Campus.   

In the new year, we will be providing monthly financial results to Senior Leadership Group and University Leadership Group and providing quarterly finance briefings to all staff. We will also include monthly financial snapshots here in On Campus.   

Michael Lonergan 

Chief Financial Officer 

The University has made the decision to suspend plans for our end-of-year Garden Party event for 2024. I know this event has been a highlight on the University calendar since 2016, but we have decided not to host the event this year in recognition of the current financial environment.

I won’t mince words. It is sad to cancel this party, and it would have been nice to bring our community together after a challenging year. But with the current budget restraints the University is facing, it is the right decision for now.

I thank you for your understanding, and welcome thoughts and ideas about next steps, including looking forward to what might be possible for end-of-year events in 2025. I encourage the University Leadership Group to consider ways to hold smaller end-of-year events at a local level.

Genevieve

For ANU staff and students still seeking on-campus childcare in 2025, Heritage Early Childhood Centre (Heritage) has advised that there are spaces available across all age groups.  

The University’s agreement with both Heritage and University Preschool Childcare Centre includes the prioritising of spots for current ANU staff and students. Families without confirmed places are encouraged to contact Heritage regarding places for 2025 without delay before the remaining spots are made available to the wider community.

The Expenditure Taskforce was formed to identify opportunities for sustainable non-salary savings across the University as part of the Renew ANU initiative. By focusing on more efficient, cost-effective processes, the taskforce aims to streamline operations while preserving our commitment to excellence.

We have collated a summary of the taskforce's findings to date. We encourage all staff to review the findings and to contribute their insights on where further savings can be achieved. Suggestions for non-salary savings can be submitted through this form. 

Submissions close on Tuesday 10 December. 

Read more: Expenditure Taskforce, Analysis and Recommendations

Progressing the EA variation proposal to staff is just one of several actions the University is taking to address our salary position to support a sustainable future.

RAC

The Recruitment Approval Committee (RAC) was implemented in April this year to oversee and ensure that all recruitment processes align with the University’s strategic, financial, and organisational objectives. 

Since its formation, the RAC has met 15 times between 2 May 2024 and 6 November 2024, holding meetings every two weeks. A total of 994 roles have been submitted for review, with 893 (89.8 per cent) receiving approval. Of these 994 roles, 154 were re-submitted following initial declines or undetermined outcomes, bringing the total number of requests reviewed to 1,148. On average, the Committee reviews 76 requests per meeting. 

These hiring controls serve as an important review of recruitment needs across the University. The 10.2 per cent reduction in recruitment activities reflects the Committee’s balanced approach, in contrast with other Universities that have recently implemented hiring freezes. The full impact of this activity will not be clear until the end of the year, at which point we will provide a further update to the University community. 

Leave Management

To address the University’s salary position, the University is actively managing our leave liabilities, which currently total $163 million. We continue to report on this regularly in On Campus and would like to thank those staff members who have already taken action to reduce their leave balances.

Senior Staff Salaries

In October, the Vice-Chancellor announced a 10 per cent reduction in her salary as a gesture of solidarity with staff, acknowledging the sacrifices being asked in relation to the upcoming vote on the proposed variation to the Enterprise Agreement.

In addition, the University has requested that staff on Performance Based Employment Contracts, who are not covered by the Enterprise Agreement, consider forgoing their December salary increase, regardless of the outcome of the vote on the proposed variation. This collective decision could result in savings of more than $1 million for the University.

The University is changing parking providers. All payroll deductions for vPermit will be cancelled after the last pay day in 2024 i.e. 19 December 2024. When you return to campus in 2025 you will need to apply for an e-permit.

As soon as details are available you will be notified of how to create your new permit. This information will also be made available on the Transport and Parking page.

From 1 January 2025, permit holders will be able to include three vehicles on their e-permit. The requirement to park only one vehicle on campus per day will continue (and infringements may be issued for parking more than one vehicle on campus per day.) However, permit holders will no longer need to set an active vehicle.

Last week, Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell and other members of the University Executive appeared in front of the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee and provided information regarding a range of University matters, including the proposed Renew ANU changes. 

Read more: Statement from Vice-Chancellor to Senate Estimates

Monday November 18, 5.30-7.30pm 

In this lecture, Assistant Govenor at the Reserve Bank of Australia Christopher Kent will review some key features of Australia’s financial system and discuss the implications of these for the transmission of monetary policy, financial stability and forward guidance. 

Register now: Financial markets and monetary policy in Australia

Wednesday 20 November, 5-7.30pm 

James Hathaway from the University of Michigan will explore why sexual liberty must come out of the international closet. He will discuss why enabling the right to have consensual sex outside the confines of the classic marital, procreative model would afford an opportunity to refurbish the international human rights edifice in a globally inclusive way. 

Register now: Annual Kirby lecture in international law, claiming queer liberty

Thursday 21 November, 10.30am-12.30pm

Telling our stories and providing expert commentary in the media ensures that ANU has high visibility with prospective students, funders and partners. Learn how to make your research engaging and understandable for a general audience, work on identifying newsworthy angles for your research and receive tips for interviews and media engagement.

Learn more: Media training session

Have you ever wondered why both ANU-Secure and ANU-Secure2 show up when you try to connect to Wi-Fi? Confused about which one to choose? We’re making it easier for you. On 2 December 2024, ANU-Secure2 will be decommissioned, making ANU-Secure the go-to network for everyone at ANU.

If you’ve only used ANU-Secure2, you’ll need to manually connect to ANU-Secure and enter your credentials the first time.

Learn more: Streamlining Wi-Fi at ANU

The ANU Information Security Office is launching an updated Cyber Sense training series featuring ANU alumna and comedian Chris Ryan. This series contains three modules on phishing, protecting your identity and protecting your device. Access the modules through Pulse.

Learn more: Cyber Sense training series

Are you looking for an opportunity to establish your leadership skills, expand your network and improve your interpersonal communication? There are many benefits to mentorship. Gain new perspectives and an opportunity for growth by providing guidance to junior staff members. If you are a level 6/7 or above and have interest in being a professional staff mentor, submit your expression of interest for the 2025 program.

Expressions of interest close Friday 29 November.

Learn more: 2025 Professional Staff Mentoring Program

The Exploring Learning and Teaching course offers a practice-based learning experience with peers that introduces you to important aspects of learning and teaching in the higher education context. This program is ideal for anyone who is new to teaching or looking to consolidate their teaching practice. 

Attend morning sessions in person from Monday 18 November – Friday November from 10am-12.30pm or afternoon sessions online from Monday 25 November – Friday 29 November, 1.30-3.30pm. 

Register now: Exploring Learning & Teaching

The Student Experience of Learning and Teaching survey closes this Sunday 17 November. We encourage you to let your students know how feedback has helped you to make changes in your courses at ANU. Students can find the SELT survey links in their ANU emails and through the Wattle dashboard.

Help is available if you need it. Whether it's a work-related issue or a personal one, the University encourages you to seek support through the Employee Assistance Program.

If you need to support a student in distress, please refer to this guide that was developed by the Student Safety and Wellbeing team.