Projects are starting to gather pace! Since the contract was signed for the Student Information System earlier in the term, the team has been out speaking to key stakeholders about what the changes will mean for them. The full business case for our Network Replacement Programme has been agreed, and the first new building as part of the West Slope programme – the Swanborough Laundrette – was opened. 

Highlights this month include: 

Network Replacement Programme (NRP)

We are pleased to announce that the Programme has successfully been approved to proceed following ratification of the full business case by Council on 24 November. This flagship initiative will provide a future-proof, secure, high speed wired and Wi-Fi campus-wide data network. This milestone represents a huge investment towards our strategic objectives of delivering world class education that transforms our students’ lives and futures, facilitates new research, enables knowledge and manifests new ideas that transform the world. 

The Programme is now moving at pace to conclude a public procurement exercise, which will select both the ITS network implementation vendor and construction contractors who will deliver the network upgrade by 2025. The implementation timeline is yet to be agreed, but it is anticipated that construction works will start mid-2023, with limited areas of the campus experiencing the new high-speed and stable network early in 2024. 

Student Information System (SIS)

Following confirmation in October of Ellucian as the provider of our new Student Information System, planning and configuration activities have begun at pace around the first three capability workstreams – General Person Record Management, Admissions and Curriculum Record Management. Colleagues from across the University working in these areas have been participating in planning and alignment workshops, where they have had an opportunity go through the detailed delivery timeline, see the new system capability, and contribute to the work to align our processes. 

On 1 December, we hosted an event to formally mark the partnership between the University and Ellucian. Vice-Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil, and University Project Executive Professor Kate O’Riordan expressed the importance of the project in supporting the University to deliver its strategic objectives and improve the experience of students and staff. The CEO of Ellucian, Laura Ipsen talked about Ellucian’s vision and the value of working together in partnership to achieve a successful implementation. 

Professional Service (PS) Places

The PS Places programme will be launching a survey in the New Year, to help us understand how PS staff currently work and how well (or not!) in existing PS office spaces and how this helps you do your job. This is your opportunity to tell us what you think of the current campus facilities and really help shape the programme. Alongside this, we will be setting up a Change Network to act as a forum for feedback. The Change Network will help make sure everyone knows what changes are being proposed and how they might affect you. This is just the start of the conversation, so keep a look out for more information in the new year! 

West Slope

Our smart new Laundrette next to Swanborough residences is now open to students and staff. The new Laundrette was built as part of our work to move services out of the West Slope development area ahead of the main construction works starting next year. There is also lots of utilities work underway across campus with sewage pipes being updated along the Arts Path, and enhanced water, gas and electricity services being installed to the north of campus. Check for the latest updates on ourcampus development webpages and join our Viva Engage 'Better Campus' community via your Teams app.