School Manager's Report

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue8 1–30 September 2020

The latest financial modelling by the ANU central finance team showed better financial results than anticipated. RSAA is doing its part by managing to stay close to its Expenditure Control Framework target. This was not easy, and the opportunity costs of containing expenditures, rather than pushing to increase revenue, needs to be investigated in 2021. I would like to thank my team, who have managed the increased workload due to the centralisation of requests to expend funds, and also all staff and HDR students for being patient while we process all the paperwork to provide you with decisions. I acknowledge that everything has not been perfect, but so far no significant break-down of RSAA administrative machinery has occurred!

Last month, Matthew and I were notified that ANU have approved converting excess Annual Leave and Long Service Leave to RSAA endowment funds. We have tested the process, and I have successfully donated part of my excess leave to the RSAA endowment fund and Matthew’s leave conversations are being approved. I know that there has been interest from some of you in donating part of your excess leave to the RSAA Endowment fund. If you would like to donate some of your leave, please contact Kellie Takenaka, CoS Advancement Manager (Kellie.Takenaka@anu.edu.au) for more details. Every donation helps us to fund more scholarships and research projects!

2020 has been a difficult year, to say the least. We are now slowly getting used to the new normal, but things will continue to be like this until we eradicate Covid-19 or there is a vaccine to treat the virus. As there may be staff and students who are still struggling, I strongly request everyone to follow ANU and RSAA protocols and to please be kind and gentle with each other.

Rafat Alam