School Manager's Report
Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue10 1–30 November 2020
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr.
While we work on the RSAA Culture Action Plan via the various working parties set up by the RSAA Executive and endorsed by the School, I have started to see staff and students with varied views working together to build RSAA specific policies, procedures and guidelines enhancing our culture. I would like to thank all members of all working groups, including the IDEA committee members, for all their contributions. May all this hard work enhance the culture and change the behaviours that catalysed this initiative
After nearly six months of focussed effort and financial restraint by all staff, RSAA is tracking slightly under our revised ECF budget at this point of time. I have tried to ensure that nearly all requests to expend funds are approved. The budget for 2021 is still being finalised. RSAA has done better than its counterparts, but there have been further cuts in addition to those in the 2020 revised budget. Matthew Colless and I have been working behind the scenes to further increase our allocations. Hopefully the impact of this cut will not be as severe as we anticipated in September.
Recently, Matthew and I agreed to go ahead with the solar panel installation after strong lobbying by the RSAA Sustainability Committee. This aligns with the commitment Matthew made in 2019 to lower our carbon footprint and aligns with the ANU Zero Carbon Initiative. It takes approximately 3 years to recover the cost of installation through savings in our electricity bill. This is our first step towards making MSO and SSO carbon-neutral.
I would also like to thank my team, who worked tirelessly throughout 2020 ensuring the RSAA administrative machinery continued to function despite greater workload and reduced FTE count. That too in a year like 2020!
Rafat Alam
