Quality Improvement in Financial Management the University of Washington

Vol 2, No 4 H E A D L I N E S Fall 2003 Letter from the Editor, Fall 2003 FM Employee Satisfaction Still Strong by Zach Luther by KateKate Riley With Autumn Quarter now underway, it’s We had wonderful participation in the 2003 FM for another issue of Directions! The weather’s a bit EmployeeEmployee SSatisfactionatisfaction SSurvey—83%urvey—83% ooff oourur sstafftaff cooler, but lots of things are happening in Financial answered the survey conducted this past April. The Management. The results of the Employee Satisfac- overall satisfaction rate was again very positive; tion Survey have come in, with some interesting 53% of staff rated themselves as highly satisfi with results. The RAA Retreat is a good example of QI Financial Management as an employer. At the July at work, as well. Leaders Event, we further analyzed the results to The RQT is running strong with articles about determine what our strengths are, where we need the return of the Person-to-Person Gathering, The to make improvements, and what our next steps Big Chill Summer Event, and the newly Redesigned should be. Award Forms. Read further and fi nd out ! KeyKey survey fi ndings ndings The Imaging Project is a big for Financial The strengths we identifi ed include: Services, so read up on it right here. We also have • This is an enjoyable place to work. the GRIP Update for you, as well as the ever-popu- • There is confi dence in the leadership. lar Kudos and Recognition Roundup. • Staff have opportunities to learn and grow. Finally, we continue our FIN MAN 101 series with a look into Student Fiscal Services. They do • Staff feel that they have the information and a lot more than just collect tuition! materials needed to do their work. On behalf of the staff of Directions, have a great Where we saw needed improvements were Autumn! • FM leadership is perceived as inconsistent in its management practices. • Staff want more recognition, encouragement and to feel more valued. • FM would benefi t from better teamwork and cooperation. • Better planning is needed to ensure FM meets its objectives. What happens next We agreed at the Leaders Event that we needed to better understand why leadership is perceived as inconsistent—what are examples of favoritism; what keeps staff from trusting what leaders say; and what do people mean when they say leaders say 1 one thing and do another. To explore these topics, Financial Accounting and Financial Services will we will gather input through a series of activities be conducting retreats in October to better under- this fall. stand their results. As far as recognizing staff and promoting team- As you can see, we are moving ahead to address work, remember to use the RQT program. Various the results of the survey. Look for information on awards allow us all to recognize those who dem- how you can contribute coming soon. For ad- onstrate staff or leader qualities or those who have ditional information about the survey including made improvements and deserve a TOPS award. the full results, contact your EIT member.these The new Bravo award has been very successful in areas through a series of focus groups. From these giving us all another way to recognize each other. discussions, we are anticipating that we will learn In regards to better planning, the EIT will be a lot about how we can better create and share revising our strategic plan at this year’s retreat in knowledge in some of our key processes. Look for October and developing dashboard measures to en- more developments on this strategic initiative later sure that we’re on track. After we have fi nalized the this summer. strategic plan for the division, departments will be Update identifying those initiatives they need to implement Previously: to support our overall direction. At July Leaders Event, major strengths and Individual departments have been discussing the opportunities from survey were identifi ed results and identifying how they can make improve- The latest: ments. SFS had a productive day-long retreat to Departments are discussing their survey results focus on how they could rid themselves of offi ce What’s next: politics. Payroll has been working with its staff to More opportunities for staff input this fall. improve the overall satisfaction in their unit. Both

GRIP—A Great Group of January 2004 was a bit aggressive. Through the by Denise Lim analysis, we found that we needed an additional 6 Since our last update in summer, the GRIP Team months to perform all the tasks in our scope. We has been focusing on analyzing the project scope presented the fi ndings to the Oversight Commit- and whether the current implementation date is , who approved extending the implementation realistic. In addition, we have begun the technical date to June 2004. development process to confi gure the J.D. Edwards The GRIP Team also began our work of con- (JDE) system to fi t our business requirements. fi guring the JDE system. As previously reported, Lastly, we are seeking opportunities to improve we drafted a business model of the GCA process our business process to couple with the new re- in JDE, and then tested the model using sample ceivable system. GCA data. From there, our next step was to cre- Back in April, the GRIP Team worked together ate conversion programs to transfer data from the with the external consultants to perform a thor- current receivable system to the new JDE system ough gap analysis of the business requirements according to the business model. Also, we have versus functionalities offered by JDE. The result been working on JDE applications where new of the gap analysis indicated that additional pro- budgets will be set up, and the TC30, electronic gramming hours were necessary to modify JDE to cash transmittal, application that will record cash fi t the needs of Grant and Contract Accounting received from sponsors on our budgets. Currently, 2 (GCA), and that the target implementation date we are investigating the process of creating invoice 3 formats to be sent to our sponsors, and interfaces tions. Some of the creative ideas that came up dur- between JDE and the UW legacy systems, such as ing the meeting were targeting and working closely FIN, BGT and PAS drivers. with sponsors that have the most complex formats, In addition, the GRIP Team collaborated with and making standard formats available on the web GCA management to identify any inefficiencies for the sponsors to choose from. in our current business process that will not be Although there have been a few challenges, the fixed by the new JDE system. This was achieved GRIP Team is happy to report that we are making by having a team of members (Kate Riley – lead, good progress achieving our goal which is to build Vincent Lau, Ed Love, and Kiet Tran) who are new a flexible and efficient receivable system. to grant management review the billing process. During the review, numerous areas for improve- Update ment were identified, which were presented to the Previously: The project team was formed, documented the GCA management team. We feel confident that current GCA process flow, and created a model focusing on these improvements coupled with the of the business process in the new system. new system will further enhance the billing turn- The latest: around time. The team has conducted an extensive gap analy- Another area that the GRIP Team and GCA have sis, resulting in a more refined project scope and been working on is to join forces with our busi- schedule, and has begun to configure the JDE system to meet the business requirements. ness process partner, Grant and Contract Services What’s next: (GCS), to reduce the large number of invoice for- The team will work towards making progress on mats which are costly to create and maintain. The two important development pieces: invoice gen- two offices had a meeting in which we brainstormed eration and interface with UW legacy systems. ways to standardize and limit invoice varia-

We’ll Sing in the Sunshine- The soundtrack to the Summer Event was strictly FM Summer Event 2003 1960’s, and included such well-known hits as “I by Chris Malins Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “Joy to the It was warm and windy on September 9th, but World.” Those of us who have seen the movie “The there was a Big Chill in the air. The EIT and the Big Chill” know that it is about the reunion of old RQT, with musical assistance from Smokey Robin- friends, and that’s exactly how this year’s Summer son, the Temptations, and Three Dog Night, hosted Event felt. this year’s Summer Event. The outcome of this Everyone who was asked had something to say winning collaboration was happy people, groovy about the occasion. Susan Ball, an EIT member sounds, and great taste. The Physics courtyard on Sno-Cone duty, called the event “creative and never had it so good. delicious.” The event was hosted by Zach Luther, Master Dom Zook from GCA, made his voice really low of Ceremonies, who was dressed in stylish black. and said “OH YEAH, I’m having fun.” Standing He challenged the audience with trivia questions with Dom was Lily Gebrenegus, also from GCA. (What is a “perlicue,” anyway?) and oversaw the Lily liked the music, liked the people and found raffle. Every ten minutes, a lucky FM staffer won the wind bracing and refreshing. a gift certificate for food and drink at a local res- Marli Bennett from Financial Management, after taurant. eating her first Sno-Cone in twenty years, discov- 2 3 ered that they are as good as ever. Smiling broadly, an assembly line to prepare the popcorn for con- Treasury’s Lisa Edlin said, “I haven’t had this much sumption. The assembly line techniques that we fun in as long as I can remember. Oh, and this was are using were inspired by Henry Ford.” the best summer event ever!” As 3:30 approached and the Sno-Cone ice began Always analytical, Ping Tan from Treasury gave to melt, the popcorn slowed its popping, and The the event an 8.33 on the Good Time Scale (GTS), Rascals began the fi nal refrain of “Good Lovin,” the with 10 being the highest. people of Financial Management slowly made their Tami Sadusky, Director of GCA and Lead Popcorn way back to their offi ces. Another Summer Event Popper, thought for a moment about her Summer had ended, but the camaraderie and lingering good Event responsibilities and said “It’s a tough job, times would last much longer. but the rewards are great. Ruth and I have set up

I N N O V A T I O N S

Document Imaging in The main advantage is that the scanned invoices Payables Administration are easily accessible on the web. Once documents by Tom Phillips and Kristie Dunne are retrieved they can be sent as e-mail attach- Payables Administration has been improving its ments to both campus departments and/or people storage and retrieval procedure with the advent of outside the UW. The effi ciencies gained from this document imaging. We began scanning our online process improvement have been tremendous. It is invoices on July 1, 2003 and since that time we too soon to have many statistics available but our have added our travel documents and manual in- preliminary estimates suggest that the internal labor voices. This new technology, which saves invoices savings resulting from imaging will pay for the cost as images on a central server, was implemented by of this system within three years. Customer requests the collaborative efforts of the Financial Services for copies of invoices can now be completed in one imaging team, Karen Long of Payables Administra- day rather than 10 days under the old system. File tion, the outside vendor, contacts at Computing cabinets and other storage space are not needed & Communications and Bill Swann of Nebula since it is stored on our computer. Retrieval is not Support. only faster and easier from our computers but there Invoices still arrive and are processed in the is an open, clean area where the fi le cabinets were same way as they always have been, but the dif- that is now able to be used for something else. ference is what happens to the invoices after they It is too soon to have many statistics available but are processed. Transactions can consist of multiple our preliminary estimates suggest that the internal pages of backup documentation; e.g., in the year labor savings resulting from imaging will pay for the 2002 our statistics show an average of 4 pages per cost of this system within three years. Currently we online transaction. Once processed all the pages, are exploring other ways to use this new system by including the invoice recap, are scanned—thus scanning more types of documents. People are look- eliminating the need for paper storage. Before any ing for ways to streamline the way they store docu- of our paper documents could be destroyed, we had ments. The positive impact our document retrieval to ensure backup for these documents. In addition has made with people in departments has generated to two places at the UW, we also have a backup interest about obtaining their own paperless system. system outside the UW.. Payables Administration has received phone calls from others interested in document imaging. 4 5 the process: They could be riding the elevator up FIN MAN 101: Student Fiscal Services and down a couple of times before their problems by Kyra Worrell would be solved! Looking outside my offi ce window, I can see the SFS now consists of four units: Customer Ser- fi rst hints of change, as summer fades and the cam- vice, Accounting, Computing & Data Management pus bursts into a swirl of color and activity – Fall and Outreach & Overawards. The four units were has arrived! Here at the UW, Fall brings more than formed by distributing the processes of the Student just pumpkins and colored leaves; it brings students Accounts and Student Loans and Receivables Of- - freshmen, new graduate students, returning stu- fi ce along logical lines, with the main goal of the dents, unmatriculated students, and medical stu- reorganization being having all customer service dents – all kinds of students! And all these students handled on fi rst fl oor of Schmitz in room 129, and – From baby-faced freshmen (How did they get to the secondary goals being the improvement and be so young? – or is it that we’re getting to be just a streamlining of all processes. little bit older? Naw, couldn’t be!) to sophisticated The Customer Service unit bills and collects tu- graduate and professional students – will need to ition and related fee payments, disburses fi nancial come into contact with the Student Fiscal Services’ aid (loans, grants and scholarships), bills and col- Offi ce in one way or another. Tuition affects all lects current & past-due student loans and scholar- students – whether they themselves are paying it, ship accounts, provides campus cashiering services fi nancial aid is paying it or their parents are paying and student account advising. it. It is our goal here at Student Fiscal Services to make that contact as pleasant and enjoyable for The Computing & Data Management group’s the student as possible – whether it be in person, responsibilities include account set-up (making on the phone, or via email or the internet. sure all the correct charges are on the students’ accounts); setting the parameters for the student Students are the lifeblood of any university: they data base (SDB) system; the tuition tables; set- are the reason we are here. We all serve students ting up new and rolling over existing SDB charge in one way or another. We at Student Fiscal Ser- codes; fi le transfers; data control; parent PLUS vices are always looking for ways to streamline our loan processing; bank transfers; University-wide processes and make things easier for the students invoice receivables; administering automated CT and the departments here at the UW that serve databases; and writing and maintaining the Student students. To that effect, approximately two years Fiscal Services web pages. ago, the two branches of SFS – Student Loans and Receivables and Student Accounts – merged. This The Accounting unit responsibilities include was to provide better customer services by provid- preparing reports; processing JVs and billing dif- ing “one stop shopping” for students. We wanted ferent departments and agencies; processing re- to be able to provide all customer services on one funds; processing departmental cash transmittals, fl oor and all support services on another. Previously, handling departmental or student’s NSF checks students would have to race between the fi rst and from the banks; reconciling and closing budgets, fi fth fl oors of Schmitz Hall to get anything done accounts and discrepancies; and handling student’s – up you’d go to the fi fth fl oor to get your loan tax issues. promissory note signed, then down to the fi rst fl oor The Outreach & Overawards unit is dedicated to get your money and make sure your tuition was to helping students and the university community paid; if everything wasn’t quite right, you’d have to understand SFS services by delivering group pre- race back upstairs to fi x it. It was a nightmare for sentations like Money 101 (helping students learn 4 students who weren’t sure where they were at in to manage their finances) and “Managing the 5 Maze” (helping new students learn about the SFS ment plan, tracking all payments made by each services) and providing written information. The student, reporting the repayment arrangement Outreach unit facilitates the SFS Advisory Board and payments, and referring accounts for further (a quarterly meeting where Student Fiscal Services collections to a government agency and/or collec- and campus advisors can share information and tion agency. ideas) and seeks to make Student Fiscal Services a SFS continues to search for ways to improve our more visible presence on the UW campus. processes in order to better serve the 37,000+ The Overawards section of the Outreach unit students here at the UW – they are the reason we is responsible for notifying the students, working are here! with the students to arrange a reasonable repay-

RAA Retreat Revelations Then the scores were categorized and placed in by Cecilia Pittman the proper quadrant. Specifi cally, this targeted the Research Accounting and Analysis (Grant and processes for improvement initiatives. Contract Accounting and Management Account- Finally, the information from the exercise was ing and Analysis) held a dashboard retreat in June tallied. These results clearly demonstrated the that was fi lled with positive energy and excitement. group consensus for those processes in most need The overall objective of the retreat was to bring of improvement. The top three measures identi- the entire staff together to analyze the dashboard fi ed as needing immediate attention were billings, measures and identify the areas that RAA would potential liability from DHHS award discrepancies, focus their efforts over the coming months. and faculty effort certifi cation. The following initial This goal was achieved in an open environment steps have been taken to address these issues: an of presentations, ice breakers and the four quad- invoicing process walk through was done and the rant exercise (an activity that focuses on process results are being analyzed, the DHHS measure is prioritization). In her opening, Sue Camber set the being reviewed and some data mining will follow, stage by explaining why this is such an exciting and fi nally a project team has formed to assess the time to be in research. She cited examples such viability of revising or replacing the FEC system. as, increase in grant volumes and the newly ap- There was a lot of enthusiasm generated from proved staff additions in RAA. The ice breaker, this retreat that carried over once we all returned led by Kate Riley, was effective in bringing together to our desks. One of the facilitators wrote, “I am people from different offi ces and sections to get to happy to have been a part of this retreat. I agree know one another better. “Leadership for Change”, there was a lot of positive energy…” Addition- the next presentation, given by Ruth Johnston, ally, one participant wrote in an email (and many addressed a variety of modes for change, how to echoed the same sentiment), “…The retreat was navigate through change, and what to expect dur- great. I found it very informative. I enjoyed myself ing change. and feel re-energized. Thank you everyone for all Kate transitioned us into the afternoon agenda by your effort. The retreat was a triumph.” presenting Dashboard 101. This prepared us for the New Directions is published quarterly by the Offi ce specifi c presentations of the individual dashboard of Financial Management at the Uni versity of measures given by the RAA process experts. This Washington. For the on-line version of this newsletter, information was vital to the quadrant exercise. Di- please visit the web site at:

vided into groups of eight, we used the individual www.washington.edu/admin/fi nmgmt/qi/directions/oct03/ 6 process measure handouts to score the measures. 7 K U D O S Kudos Christa Woodhull, Payroll: “ I wanted to thank Given to FM colleagues by folks from outside the division you for how you’ve interfaced with us the past sev- Compiled by Randi Adar eral weeks…Your emails were always to the point Ann Anderson, Karen Long and Financial Ser- and without any rhetoric or editorial language... vices: “Ann, we want to thank you, Karen Long, Much appreciated!” Gary Prohaska, Information and your staff for all the excellent work everyone Systems. did during the biennium close process. You and Cindy Gregovich and the Equipment Inventory your staff must have worked awfully hard and we Office: “I appreciate all the cooperation from [EIO] appreciate the extra effort…We especially ap- staff, especially Cindy, your property manager in preciated your offices staying within the timelines the Equipment Inventory Office, [in submitting you gave us, and the special attention we felt we the yearly property reports.]” C.C. Everley, ONR received in getting questions answered, as well as Seattle the good and reliable information you provided all Donna Andreason and David Wright, ProCure- throughout the process.” Mary Melanson, Dean’s ment Card Program: Office, Arts & Sciences. “I have found your office to be very helpful in the Anna Mirza, Payroll Office: “Thank you for following ways: making the correction. This certainly made my • Establishing interdepartmental bonds job easier.” Mervilyn Penwell, Respiratory Care Services. • Willingness to answer questions Beverly Trulson, Student Fiscal Services: “We • Follow-up with questions to establish accuracy cannot put into words how professional Beverly • Help…There is always someone able to ‘walk’ was in handling the [challenges that our situation] one through issues and problems to achieve dealt her. She was always above board in presenting resolution. policies and procedures and yet had this calming • Courteous & kind regardless of who the caller effect while providing this information…There was may be never a time that we felt that we were not being I hope that the program continues to be success- taken care of or that our best interests were not ful and I am pleased to have had such a positive being addressed…We are adamant in saying that experience.” Robert Hathaway, College of Forest Beverly was instrumental in steering us in the right Resources. direction …You are fortunate to have a supportive staff member who goes the extra mile to represent Frannie Gladney, Student Fiscal Services: “I just your department…” Excerpts from a letter written wanted to thank you for all the help you gave me by a UW parent. in getting my situation together…It is my life long dream to complete my degree at the University Calvin Tran, Grant and Contract Accounting: of Washington. There is absolutely no way that I “Every once in awhile I have the extraordinary - would have the opportunity to realize this dream perience of working with a UW employee who goes if it were not for your sensitivity to my personal above and beyond what is expected of them. I want situation, skill at finding options that fit both my you to know that I was very impressed with Calvin. needs and the UW’s, and your willingness to help.” I have worked at the University of Washington for A student who was assisted with financial aid con- nearly 25 years and I believe that it is important cerns by Frannie. to acknowledge employees who are so very helpful 6 and talented.” Donald Kunz, Oncology. 7 Gilda Franada, Payables Administration: “Given Maze” orientations SFS is offering to help students the enormous pressure of time constraints with the manage their personal finances]: “It’s really helpful biennial close protocols, I am all the more impressed to have such a detailed explanation of what can with not only the professional and courteous help often be an overwhelming process! We hope you Gilda has rendered [in processing closing JVs], but will be willing to come again next year.” Victoria also the manner and attitude with which she went Corrin, Rehabilitation Medicine. about dealing with each JV issue. Gilda’s exemplary Lauren Collins, Grant and Contract Adminis- customer support reflects well on your leadership, tration: “Thank you so much for your very clear and staff like her make you and I proud to be a answers to all our cost-sharing questions…We re- part of this system!” Geetha Sukumaran, College of ally appreciate the time you spent at the College Forest Resources. of Engineering. It was very helpful!” Mary Heusner, John Cady, Grant and Contract Administration: College of Engineering. “I want to bring an excellent example to your at- Lily Gebrenegus and Suprimo Manabat, Grant tention of proactive intervention on my HHMI and Contract Administration: “I would like to grant by John Cady to save a great deal of time thank you both for helping us meet our deadlines and effort by many people. Without a request from by having all Journal Vouchers related to the old us, John initiated changes that have us very happy biennium entered into the system in a timely man- over here! [This approach]…solves problems be- ner. Without your extraordinary help, which I call fore they frustrate everyone involved and creates a a service beyond your normal duties, we would not positive relationship between service provider and have been able to accomplish the closing of our customer, so essential in our current regulatory cli- books accordingly.” Gloria Escano, Office of Intel- mate.” Mary Lidstrom, College of Engineering. lectual Property and Technology Transfer. Judy Peterson and the Treasury Office: “In Monique Bradley and Cecilia Pittman, Grant yesterday’s meeting of the Foundation Board Ex- and Contract Accounting: “I just want to say thank ecutive Committee, Bill Gates stated how much you so much for going the extra mile to help us he appreciated your one-page reports to donors to change our budget’s status—despite your busy UW Endowment about their named fund show- schedules and other deadlines. I sincerely thank ing performance/status. He said that the donors you for your superb customer service.” Hien Tran, like receiving them and that you and your team Applied Physics Laboratory. do a great job. These comments were echoed by Payroll Office [in regards to National Payroll Jerry Grinstein and Laurel Nesholm.” Weldon Ihrig, Week, recognized during the first week of Sep- Executive Vice President, passing on a comment from tember:] “Thank you all for your help over the University donors. years with payroll. Your efficiency, accuracy and Kristie Dunn, Payables Administration: “[While good humor during times of stress is truly deserv- working with Kristie on a payment issue,] she was ing of at least a week! It is truly a pleasure to work extremely helpful, courteous, professional, and with all of you at Campus Payroll. I appreciate went way out of her way to help me with my all you do!!” Maureen Medina, UWMC Roosevelt problem. I really appreciated her professionalism Payroll/Personnel. and her kind attitude while helping me. She really Pramilla Chand and Kristie Dunn, Payables exemplified customer service.” Al Sipple, VA Puget Administration: “Pramilla goes the extra mile to Sound Health Care System. make sure our many, many invoices are processed Kyra Worrell and Student Fiscal Services Out- & expedited. I appreciate her immensely! When reach Team [regarding the new “Managing the 8 Pramilla is not available Kristie Dunn has regu- 9 larly gone out of her way to make sure things keep The Travel Office: “I’m fairly new to the UW moving along.” Jackie Matthews, Disability Services system, but have had several occasions to use the Office. TEV. Coming from private industry, I expected to Sharon Langlois, Payroll Office: “I really want things more cumbersome rather than less. This to thank you for everything you have done to help tool has been a delightful surprise to the contrary. me. In appreciation and recognition of your efforts, We’ve even used it to validate our own assumptions thank you as always.” Leila Wirfs, Pathobiology. about object codes, so it has utility beyond what you might have anticipated.” Scott Sipes, Pediatrics.

R Q T / A W A R D S

Recognition Roundup LINQ by Zach Luther CeCe Redila (Payables Administration) received TOPS the LINQ award for the Approachable and Inspir- GASB 34 TEAM (Jeff Follman, Bill Christensen, ing qualities on September 17, 2003. CeCe has Jon Vanvick, Greg Henderson, Nancy Treibel, Sar- the ability to visualize any kind of difficulty and ah Moore, and George Rix) were given the TOPS resolve it as soon as possible. She’s very open to award on September 26th , 2003 for their imple- other people’s views, and always shares information mentation of the requisite GASB reporting format. with her employees and the departments. She is This was a major change from the traditional fund sympathetic and a good listener, but also forward- accounting format the UW had used for years. This thinking. CeCe regularly encourages her staff to team began working on the conversion more than look through the T&D catalog for opportunities two years in advance, and was well prepared for to improve themselves. the transition. They have helped the UW become EXPRESS a national leader in GASB implementation, and Financial Services – 9/18/03 many other schools have contacted this group ask- Cost Share Team – 9/24/03 ing for help on their own transitions. . QSTEP Ghan Sachdeva (SFS) was awarded with a QSTEP for the Trustworthy quality on September 8, 2003. Ghan is both reliable and competent, and if one asks him for assistance with anything he goes out of his way to help. He is always willing to offer comprehensive advice on any questions a co-worker might have. He is extremely learned, has a doctorate in Nutrition from his studies in India, and if ever he doesn’t know the answer to a question he will find out and get back to you. His work is done in a timely manner, and he cares about people. Ghan without a doubt defines what it means to be “trustworthy.”

8 9 It’s Not Just for Breakfast Anymore! for a meal and to meet employees from other de- by Celia Durham partments to do some networking. Hopefully you’ll The new Person to Person Gathering sub-team make contacts with people in other departments of RQT has been diligently working on plans for so if you ever need to call another department you “new and improved” gatherings. The members of will know someone in that department as well as our sub-team are Kiet Tran, Rosemarie Valencia, be able to put a face with a name. JR Sloan, Lisa Scheyer and Celia Durham. We also have come up with some pretty great As you will see, it ain’t just for breakfast anymore! topics and speakers. For our fi rst gathering we have After reviewing the results of the RQT Survey scheduled George Bridges, Dean and Vice Provost taken by the previous team, we took a mini survey of Undergraduate Education to speak on “How the and asked you questions in order to fi nd out how we Undergraduate Needs You” and will be ordering could improve the gatherings for better participa- some delicious box lunches from Briazz Catering tion. From the mini survey results we found out that Services. Future lunch plans include watching and nearly 75% of Financial Management would prefer discussing a humorous training video. to meet for lunch rather than breakfast. We also We are pretty excited about our new events and came to the conclusion that most people wanted to hope that each and every one of you in Financial attend an event once per year. We have scheduled Management will attend. So keep your eyes peeled four events for the year which will include three for your invitation because everyone in Financial lunches and one breakfast. We plan to invite each Management will be invited and we know that you employee at least one time per year. The purpose won’t want to miss out on these new and improved of the gathering is to get away from your daily work Person to Person Gatherings!

Recognition Just Got a Whole Lot Easier lated a number of questions the nominator should by Zach Luther consider, to help guide her through the process. We A common complaint heard by every RQT phrased and laid out these questions in a manner member has been that it’s too diffi cult to nominate that will the nominator through the form, someone for an award. The award forms were seen from question to question, to not only help the as overly complex and diffi cult to complete, caus- nominator know what to write about, but also to ing some to throw up their hands and give up on help her think about the nomination and whether the entire process. The results of the RQT survey the TOPS is the right award for the job. Instead of conducted by the previous team only served to staring down a blank page when the urge strikes bring this issue to the fore. her to nominate, the nominator can simply answer the leading questions designed to guide her through The RQT, concerned that people might be re- the form. luctant to submit nominations, looked towards a redesign of the LINQ, QSTEP, and TOPS forms in The QSTEP and LINQ forms had more substance an effort to make them easier to understand, and to work with, but were still in need of a makeover. less daunting for the fi rst-time nominator. This Their old style was to have a number of checkboxes process was handled by the RQT’s Communica- at the top of the form, with blank space below for tion and Marketing sub-team. the nominator to write in comments and examples about the checked qualities. Our new layout takes Our fi rst target was the TOPS form, a single page the basic premise and lays it out differently; now with only vague instructions vis-à-vis going about there is space to give examples immediately after its completion. From that single page, we extrapo- each checkbox, so the nominator will have an 10 11 easier time knowing what to write about. hard to nominate someone for an award. We look forward to seeing more great involvement and lots of things to celebrate! The new forms will be avail- able soon. Please check your RQT station or visit The RQT hopes that these changes will help our website at http://www.washington.edu/admin/ convince potential nominators that it’s really not finmgmt/qi/rqt.

CALENDAR

Dealing with Difficult Situations and People #170 Schmitz Hall December 11th & 12th (9:00–Noon)

Contact Rae Ann Laubenstein at [email protected] for details.

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