StaffNews No 297
Friday 29 February 2008
News of interest to staff of the University of Melbourne
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CONTENTS
1. A timely reminder regarding suspicious emails
2. Live webcast of Commencement Ceremony
3. The new LIVE Unit - Leadership Involvement & Volunteer Experience Unit
4. Teaching Initiatives Fund 2008
5. Computer equipment recycling
6. Publishing Support Program: applications now open
7. MU Student Union short courses & vocational training
8. Call for submissions: scholarly information in a digital age
9. Healthy Eating Healthy Living treatment starting soon
10. Earth Hour goes global
11. The Future Sustainability Leaders Program 2008
12. Victoria Fellowships information session
13. Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research 2008
14. Volunteers needed to join hip-arthritis study
15. Parkinson’s Disease research volunteers needed
16. Chaplaincy led Bible study group forming
17. Research Office seminars
18. First Aid training
19. Travel advice from Environment Health and Safety
20. Staff development opportunities
21. What’s on highlights
22. Newsmakers
23. Career opportunities
24. Contributing to StaffNews
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1. A timely reminder regarding suspicious emails
The University has recently experienced increased unsolicited or suspicious emails.
Staff of the University need to be increasingly cautious of such emails, as they aim to steal the recipients' electronic identity and use it to compromise personal information, or access computer systems.
Recently a suspicious email purporting to be from the IT Service Desk was received by some staff. The IT Service Desk will NEVER ask staff for sensitive information via email. Be wary of unsolicited emails, especially those professing to be from official University sources or any other institutions.
Staff who receive a suspicious email can:
* Check official IT Announcements at the following website .
All official IT Announcements are published there; bookmark the website for future reference.
* Ask an IT representative to check the logged incident number against the IT Service Desk's internal job tracking system (Remedy).
* Check the status of a logged incident number at the following link .
Remember:
* If an email looks suspicious, it probably is.
* If you do not recognise the sender, ignore and/or delete it.
* Never reply to or forward suspicious emails.
* Never send sensitive, personal or confidential information via email.
* Never click links or download attachments in suspicious emails.
More information on Personal Security or other IT Security
related material is at:
Enquiries: IT Service Desk (8344 0888 / it-help.unimelb.edu.au) .
Log a request via the IT Service Desk at: servicedesk.unimelb.edu.au/
[Source: Michael Jerrard, Information Services]
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2. Live webcast of Commencement Ceremony
The University will mark the opening of the 2008 academic year with a Commencement Ceremony on Monday 3 Marchm with an addresses by the Provost, Professor Peter McPhee, and a current student, Ms Sok Jin Ong.
At the ceremony, student representatives will be presented with commemorative scrolls - replicas of the University's Grant of Arms.
All staff are invited to join the live webcast of the Commencement Ceremony at:
melbourneunilive.unimelb.edu.au beginning at 9.50 am.
System requirements to view the webcast are: PC with Windows XP higher with Internet Explorer 6 or higher and Windows Media 9 or higher.
[Source: Christina Buckridge, Marketing and Comunications]
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3. The new LIVE Unit - Leadership Involvement & Volunteer Experience Unit
The LIVE Unit is situated within Academic Enrichment Services (AES) and supports the University of Melbourne’s commitment to the Melbourne Experience. The unit hosts a range of programs and resources which provides students with unique opportunities to get involved both on and off campus in leadership, community engagement and volunteering activities, locally and globally.
LIVE hosts the following programs:
* Student Ambassador Leadership Program: (SALP)
SALP is an extra-curricular program providing students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills by volunteering in University and community programs.
* UoM Community Volunteer Program
The Community Volunteer Program offers students the opportunity to enhance their university experience by volunteering both on campus and in the community. Volunteering opportunities are available in health, education, conservation, environment, disability, community service, social justice and more.
* Volunteers Online
Volunteers Online is a new web-based facility which enables students to choose from a range of volunteering opportunities, locally and globally, which are advertised by a diverse mix of non-profit organisations and projects, as well as University volunteering activities.
More information: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/live
Enquiries: Debra Stoter, Manager (8344 4491 / dstoter@unimelb.edu.au).
[Source: Debra Stoter, Academic Enrichment Services]
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4. Teaching Initiatives Fund 2008
The Planning and Budget Committee has allocated $600,000 to the Provost for allocation to faculties to encourage learning and teaching initiatives in 2008. Applications are called for amounts of up to $40,000, for which priority will be given to:
* development of new University Breadth Subjects
* initiatives to encourage classroom integration of domestic and international students
* proposals to use non-Parkville campuses (Dookie and Creswick) for intensive subjects or programs
* collaboratively designed and delivered second-year subjects in New Generation degrees.
Other proposals will also be considered.
The closing date is Wednesday 26 March.
More information: Rosa Brezac (r.brezac@unimelb.edu.au)
[Source: Rosa Brezac, Office of the Provost]
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5. Computer equipment recycling
Departments with equipment to dispose on the next computer equipment recycling day should contact their Building Supervisor by 5 March to arrange collection - advising the type, quantity and location of equipment to be collected, and a convenient date and time for collection. Relevant LITEs should be contacted for any IT matters to be addressed prior to collection.
This arrangement applies only to the Parkville Campus and those off-campus locations serviced by a Building Supervisor. The contact details for the Building Supervisors, which also details the buildings they are responsible for, can be found at:
www.pb.unimelb.edu.au/propertyandbuildings/whereis.php3?subcat=7
Enquiries and more information: Belinda Rule (brule@unimelb.edu.au / 8344 3050)
[Source: Sam Montalto, Environmental Health and Safety Unit]
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6. Publishing Support Program: applications now open
The Publication Support Program is open to academic staff seeking support in communicating their research to a general audience. Stage one of the program provides a general overview of the media and the publishing industry. Presenters include well-known writers, editors and publishers.
Through stage two of the program participants develop their publishing project in consultation with editors, agents and publishers.
Stage three, manuscript sponsorship, offers participants the chance to receive a mentorship, financial or editorial support to pursue their project.
The program is run by the Writing Centre for Scholars and Researchers.
The first stage of the program will run on 8 and 9 April. Applications close Friday 14 March.
Potential applicants with experience in writing for a general audience may seek an exemption from stage one.
Enquiries: writing-centre@unimelb.edu.au
More information: www.gradstudies.unimelb.edu.au/writingcentre/psp/index.html
[Source: Jane Hawtin, Writing Centre for Scholars & Researchers]
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7. MU Student Union short courses & vocational training
Staff interested in learning a new skill, brushing up on an old one or investing in professional development are invited to consider enrolling in one of many short course programs offered by MU Student Union.
Brochures are available at several locations around campus or online at:
www.union.unimelb.edu.au/shortcourses or www.muvocationaltraining.com.
Visit the Short Courses Counter, Ground Floor Union House from 10am-4pm or enrol on-line.
Enquires: Short Courses Information (8344 3674).
[Source: Tania Gulliver, MU Student Union Ltd]
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8. Call for submissions: scholarly information in a digital age
How should the University develop its scholarly information and technologies, services and infrastructure to achieve its research, learning, teaching and knowledge transfer aspirations over the next decade?
To stimulate conversation about this important question, the Information Futures Commission has released a consultation paper, "Scholarly Information in a Digital Age: Choices for the University of Melbourne."
Staff, students, other members of the University community and interested stakeholders are invited to respond to the consultation paper.
All staff and students are encouraged to conduct their own discussions and concentrate on the issues most relevant to them. Colleagues should get together to work out their response and proposals, which need not be confined to the questions raised in this paper. Critical perspectives, creative ideas and robust solutions are most welcome.
Ideas and issues will be further explored in student-staff forums and a range of other consultation activities during March, April and May. In June 2008 the Commission will produce its final report proposing a 10-year strategy for the University’s scholarly information and technologies.
Information and digital copies of the consultation paper:
www.informationfutures.unimelb.edu.au
[Source: Margaret Ruwoldt, Project Officer, Information Futures Commission]
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9. Healthy Eating Healthy Living treatment starting soon
The University of Melbourne Psychology Clinic is launching a program to assist individuals who are struggling with their weight and with motivating themselves to change their lifestyle and eating habits.
The program will offer a combination of group and individual sessions focussing on: increasing motivation, improving self-esteem and self-confidence, issues with body image and stress management.
Cost: $80 for 5 group sessions and $25 per individual session.
More information: 9326 4774.
[Source: Dr Lisa Phillips, Department of Psychology]
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10. Earth Hour goes global
The University of Melbourne has signed up to Earth Hour as part of its commitment to sustainability. At 8pm on Saturday 29 March, Earth Hour goes global, with cities and towns around the world taking part in turning off all non-essential lighting and appliances. Through the efforts of Property & Campus Services all non-essential lighting will be turned off at the Parkville Campus.
Staff can help by making sure all lights and appliances are turned off before leaving the workplace on Friday 28 March 2008.
Staff can also take part at home, for more details please see:
www.earthhour.org/
[Source: Danielle Rostan-Herbert, Environment Health and Safety Unit]
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11. The Future Sustainability Leaders Program 2008
Applications for the Sustainability Leadership course are open to young professionals and university students. This course is scholarship based and there is only a token cost to take part.
Training is held every Tuesday evening in the Melbourne CBD from May until November 2008. Applications close 30 March.
Apply at: www.csl.org.au
There will be an Information Session on Wednesday 12 March at 6pm in the HWT Tower, 40 City Road, Southbank.
[Source: Danielle Rostan-Herbert, Environment Health and Safety Unit]
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12. Victoria Fellowships information session
An information session on the Victorian Government’s Victoria Fellowships awarded to emerging leaders in engineering, science or technology will be held in Theatre 2, Old Geology on Wednesday 12 March at 1pm.
The information session provides an opportunity to hear directly from past Victoria Fellows and to learn how the initiative works.
The Fellowships provide a travel grant of up to $18,000 to undertake a short-term overseas study mission to assist in developing a commercial idea, or undertaking specialist training or career development.
More information: www.business.vic.gov.au/vicfellows
Applications close 7 April.
Bookings: (f.skrezenek@unimelb.edu.au / 8344 4284)
[Source: Frances Skrezenek, Office of the DVC Research]
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13. Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research 2008
Closing date for applications for the 2008 Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research is Tuesday 11 March 2008.
The Award recognises outstanding achievements by early career researchers in their PhD studies. The winner will receive $16,000 and the three commendees $8000 each, to further their research careers.
The $30,000 Jack and Robert Smorgan Families Award will go to a Victorian research institution associated with the Premier’s Award winner.
Further information is available at: www.business.vic.gov.au/premiersaward
Enquiries: 03 9651 9054.
[Source: Christina Buckridge, Marketing and Communications]
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14. Volunteers needed to join hip-arthritis study
The Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine (CHESM) seeks at least 100 participants over the age of 50 years with painful hip arthritis to join an investigation into the factors associated with physical function and pain. If eligible to participate, participants will undergo a functional assessment of their hips at the Centre.
Contact: Yong-Hao (8344 0486 / y.pua@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au).
HREC approved study No: 0602997
[Source: Yong-Hao PUA, Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine]
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15. Parkinson’s Disease research volunteers needed
The School of Physiotherapy is seeking participants with Parkinson's disease to participate in research exploring simultaneous walking and cognitive ability in a single testing session.
Interested potential volunteers are invited to contact Pamela Fok (83440423 / 0413-919779 / p.fok2@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au).
HREC approved study No: 0718399
[Source: Pamela Fok, School of Physiotherapy]
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16. Chaplaincy led Bible study group forming
A study group will meet during first semester to read the Gospel according to Mark carefully, based on two centuries of historical criticism and current commentaries.
Beginning in the week of 10 March the group is considering two times for this study (for about 50 minutes): a lunch time on either Monday or Thursday at 1pm; and either Monday or Friday afternoon at 4pm.
The group will be led by chaplain Wes Campbell. Anyone interested in joining should contact Wes (8344 6034 / wesleyc@unimelb.edu.au). If these times do not suit, please suggest an alternative.
[Source: Wes Campbell, University Chaplaincy]
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17. Research Office seminars
Further details and registration at:
www.research.unimelb.edu.au/infosessions/
* Themis Grants and Contracts for Administrators (Part 1 Submissions and Proposals) - Wednesday 5 March, 10am-12pm, ITC Training Labs, 780 Elizabeth Street.
* How to determine what regulatory approvals you need for your research - Thursday 6 March, 1-2pm, Theatre 2, Alan Gilbert Building.
* How to obtain ethics approval for research or teaching involving the use of animals - Thursday 13 March, 1-2pm, Theatre 4, Alan Gilbert Building.
* ARC Linkage Project Application Writing Workshop (Part One) - Monday 17
March, 1-2pm, Theatre 3, Alan Gilbert Building.
* How to obtain ethics approval for research involving human participants - Wednesday 19 March, 1-2pm, Theatre 2, Alan Gilbert Building.
* ARC Linkage Project Application Writing Workshop (Part Two - Budget) – Thursday 20 March, 1-2pm, Theatre 2, Alan Gilbert Building.
[Source: Jane Pontikis, Melbourne Research Office]
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18. First Aid training
Staff can update their First Aid Certification and CPR through the following courses to be held in the Level 1 Executive Lounge, Alan Gilbert Building.
Level 1, Level 2 and CPR Refresher training:
* Tuesday 29 April (Level 1 and Day 1 for Level 2)
* Tuesday 6 May (Day 2 for Level 2 only)
RSVP: Ann, First Aid Management and Training (9894 1013).
Staff must ensure they have approval from their Department to attend.
Departments will be billed directly through first Aid Management and Training.
[Source: Alison Hunt-Sturman, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences]
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19. Travel advice from Environment Health and Safety
The Environment Health and Safety Unit advises staff that DFAT has changed its information on traveling to: Nepal, Servia, Serbia and Kosovo, Djibouti, Botswana, Kenya, Taiwan, Suriname, Afghanistan, Eritrea, France, Russia, Denmark, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Vanuatu, Cameroon, Lebanon and Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
View the most recent DFAT advice at:
www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/
More information on the University's Overseas Travel Policy is at:
www.pb.unimelb.edu.au/ehs/travel/index.php3
[Source: Belinda Rule, Environment Health and Safety Unit]
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20. Staff development opportunities
Online bookings are now available in Themis Self-Service for the various 2008 Staff Development programs. Staff can access the latest development information on the newly designed 2008 Calendar of Programs, available on the HR website: www.hr.unimelb.edu.au/development/programs.
Upcoming courses in March are:
* Stress Management: Theory to Practice – for all professional and academic staff who wish to enhance wellbeing and minimise the disruptive effects of stress in their lives. The workshop, which invites active participation, includes an outline of the psychology and physiology of stress, and the healthy and necessary role played by having some level of stimulation in our lives. Friday 14 March, 9am-1pm.
* All non-supervisory staff are invited to enrol in the Performance Development Framework program on Tuesday March 18, 9am – 1pm.
To enrol in a program, please ensure you book via Themis Self-Service.
[Source: Amy Bugeja, Human Resources]
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21. What’s on highlights
events.unimelb.edu.au/
INAUGURAL LECTURE: Professor Nilss Olekalns, Head of the Economics Department, will give a lecture on ‘”We know there are known unknowns”: policy making in an uncertain world’ on Tuesday 11 March at 6:30pm in Theatre 1, ICT Building. The lecture is free and open to the public and will be followed by refreshments in the foyer of the ICT Building. RSVP to Anthea Barry (8344-2603 / antheab@unimelb.edu.au) by Monday 3 March.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL OUTLOOK CONFERENCE: The Melbourne Institute and The Australian newspaper are hosting a conference called ‘New Agenda for Prosperity’. The event will be held on 27 and 28 March and brings together key Federal Government ministers, policy makers, journalists and economic researchers. Enquiries: 8344 2154 / melb-conf@unimelb.edu.au).
[Events taking place in the week following each edition are prioritised. Other events will be included where there is sufficient space].
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22. Newsmakers
Selected University of Melbourne staff in the news:
Richard Eckard (Agriculture and Food Systems) has commented on the effects of policy and climate change on the dairy industry. Weekly Times, 27 February.
Nick Allen (Behavioural Science) has commented on his research into the brain development of adolescents. Canberra Times, 27 February and widely reported in the national news media.
Antonia Finnane (Historical Studies) has been interviewed about her book ‘Changing Clothes in China’. Radio National, 22 February.
Nola Firth (Education) has written an article about support systems for students with learning disabilities. The Education Age, 25 February.
Ken Winkle (Australian Venom Research Unit) has commented on potential research and anti-venom development as a result of the discovery of a new type of jelly fish. Sunday Mail Brisbane, 24 February.
[Newsmakers is a small, representative selection of University staff comment reported in the news media. Daily media monitoring reports may be obtained from the Media Unit by emailing: news@media.unimelb.edu.au]
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23. Career opportunities
www.hr.unimelb.edu.au/careers/
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24. Contributing to StaffNews
Email to by 5pm Wednesday for inclusion Friday the same week with “Item for StaffNews” in the subject header.
* Items should be as brief as possible. There is a 100-200 word limit for ALL items.
* Provide a source (name and department) and contacts for more information.
* Contributors must be University of Melbourne staff or students.
* Items about non-University events or activities are not accepted.
* All items will be edited for length, style and suitability.
* Technical language and jargon will be edited to plain English.
* Repeat items will be included only where there is sufficient space after new items have been included (the all-staff mailing portal is file size limited).
* Requests for study participants must include HREC approval numbers.
* StaffNews is sent to an automatically-generated list of email addresses ending with @unimelb.edu.au. There is no unsubscribe facility.
NOTE: Items that are of a general interest nature only, such as lectures, shows or exhibitions must be around 50-80 words, and be presented in the following style:
LECTURE ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: Professor Wilfred Janig, the Allan and Maria Myers Visiting Fellow in the Howard Florey Institute will give a lecture for the St Mary’s and Newman College Academic Centre Outreach Program on “The Function of the Autonomic Nervous System in Health and Disease” on Monday 15 October at 5-6pm in the Oratory of Newman College. Enquiries: director@academiccentre.stmarys.newman.unimelb.edu.au
Archived editions of StaffNews are at:
uninews.unimelb.edu.au/archive_sn.php
This week’s StaffNews was edited by: Katherine Smith
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