Student Connect are training redeployed University staff to assist with student support during COVID-19.

COVID-19 has significantly affected workflow across the University, with some areas experiencing an easing of work and others an increased demand.

In response to this, a Co-ordination Centre has been established in Human Resources, with the aim of matching areas where “work is down” with those where “work is up”.

“Our aim is two-fold,” explains Nicole Gower, Vice-President, People and Services. “Firstly, to ensure that we keep our workforce engaged and utilised as best as possible; and secondly, to support those areas where workload is high and there are significant demands.”

One area heavily impacted by recent government mandated restrictions is Campus Life, with the closure of the Sport and Aquatic Centre and the reduction of services across food and beverage outlets. However, through the Co-ordination Centre, some of these staff have now been successfully redeployed to busier areas of the University.

“The 30 staff who are being reassigned include lifeguards, swim instructors, swim coaches, personal trainers, chefs and food and beverage attendants,” says Pete Boyle, Head of U@MQ.

“They will move into the Student Connect area to help facilitate phone-based communication with students.”

One such employee is Chris McKibbins, Supervisor of Programs and Community at the Health Club, who has joined the Student Connect team this week to help with their call campaign reaching out to students to ensure they are managing the shift to online learning.

“The supervisors and equivalent positions at the Sport and Aquatic Centre had been in a state of nervousness – we could see the writing on the wall,” Chris says.  “With the Government closing gyms and leisure facilities, the period of not knowing became tense, although morale has still been good.”

A father of two young kids, Chris is thankful for the community connectivity within the University, allowing him to pivot and keep working, as well as the precious time he’s been able to spend with his family due to the government restrictions.

“We are lucky to have this opportunity to be redeployed as small businesses and other equivalent roles outside the University are at the mercy of a lockdown period,” he says. “Being redeployed allows for some semblance of normal life to continue in this very unusual time.

“I have been so lucky this last month or so having not missed a meal, play or bath time for my kids. I won’t take anything for granted with my kids and a short break to spend with them will be treasured. Moving forward we will all have to adapt as there is a chance this changes our social interactions for a long time to come.”

Student Connect, Associate Director, David Indge, says he’s taking on around 80 staff from across the University to be trained to help support students with the move to online learning through the calling campaign.

“Supporting student success is still our primary focus but with the transition to online learning, we need to also transition our student services and support to online,” explains David.

“These staff are going to be using their fantastic interpersonal and communication skills to connect with students, whether that’s on the phone or online. And, as many of these staff are students themselves, they’ll no doubt share personal experiences that help them form a genuine and authentic relationship.”

The process for the Co-ordination Centre is simple. These are intended to be short term arrangements and hence, there is no formal change to roles or transfer of budgets. If you have staff with capacity to help, please contact your HR Client Team, who will coordinate with other members of the HR team to match those staff with areas where support is needed. Similarly, if you are experiencing peaks in workflow, also let your HR Client team member know.