Three money-saving measures were highlighted in August and September:
- A new Property Exchange listserv was established, and all faculty and staff were invited to join. Those who wish to have gently used SMU furniture for on-campus use may claim items for free on a first-come, first-served basis. The listserv is designed to match up available surplus furniture with campus employees who need it and to save departments on purchases.
- The Purchasing team posted its newest data on Concur prices for hotels and flights compared to rates found on other travel sites, finding that Concur remains a competitive option.
- An updated process to opt out of campus mail was posted, necessitated by changes in my.smu.edu. The opt-out feature ultimately saves departments on printing costs.
The new Staff Recognition Initiative announced it is identifying and implementing ways to honor staff excellence and service, including establishing an annual Staff Appreciation Week and exploring changes to the Staff Service Awards.
The Operational Excellence website also continued its series of spotlights on staff members who’ve taken on new leadership roles since the implementation of OE2C and are helping bring more innovation and efficiency to campus operations. Employees highlighted in August and September were Windy Epperson, accounts payable manager, and Eric English, director of maintenance and grounds.
Lastly, Operational Excellence posted its 2016-17 Year in Review, recapping OE2C savings to date – now more than $20 million per year! – and detailing new initiatives, survey results, performance metrics and more.
Featured News
Join SMU’s Property Exchange Listserv
The Purchasing Team’s Hotel and Flight Cost Comparison
The Updated Process to Reduce Campus Mail
Following SMU’s Staff Recognition Initiative
SMU Staff Spotlight – Eric English
SMU Staff Spotlight – Windy Epperson
Operational Excellence Progress Report: 2016-2017 Year In Review