Use UAVoice to Share Your Ideas About Institutional Excellence

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While institutional excellence has emerged as the foundational pillar of the University's forthcoming strategic plan, members of the UA community do not need to wait for the plan's finalization to move forward on smarter policies, processes and approaches. 

Karen Williams, vice president for information strategy, is leading one of the pillar's initiatives, which is related to optimizing business processes. She has asked the University community to use UAVoice to identify priorities.

Business processes that could be optimized include recruitment and recognition of volunteers, submission of expense reports, and the time approval process.

One example of a process that recently was improved was a move that allows NetIDs to be changed to reflect gender identity and chosen names, which aligns with campus inclusion efforts, Williams said.

UAVoice, which allows members from the UA community to submit ideas for enhancing University practices and policies, was launched in the spring.

"UAVoice builds on the success of the Campaign for Common Sense, which ran from 2013 to 2016, and resulted in hundreds of organizational improvements ranging from more coherent organizational structures to more student-friendly academic policies," said Allison Vaillancourt, vice president for business affairs and human resources, and founder of the tool.

Those who visit the website can submit ideas and vote on other suggestions. Ideas are shared with the appropriate leaders – including leaders of the various strategic planning initiatives – and each idea's progress can be tracked on the UAVoice website.

"We all have thoughts about how to do things better, but we may be unsure how we can be heard," said Thomas McDonald, director for strategic initiatives in HR, who runs UAVoice. "Through UAVoice, each of us has an opportunity to suggest practical strategies for making the University better and stronger."

A NetID is required to use the site. All members of the UA community, including students, are encouraged to get involved in improving the University's business practices.

"Sharing your ideas could impact thousands of faculty, staff and students and change the way we do business here at the University of Arizona," Williams said.

To share your ideas on streamlining the University's business practices, visit the UAVoice website.

To share your feedback on the strategic plan as a whole, visit the strategic plan website.