FMD, University of Waikato
Issue No: 83– July 2010
The Student Centre is officially “Green” Most of you will have seen the articles in our University publications or in the local press, talking of the award of 5 Green Stars for our Student Centre project. We made a submission to the NZ Green Building Council which was running a pilot assessment tool of education facilities, so we are the second building in New Zealand to be rated in this way (the first was a new building at University of Canterbury.) What does it all mean? It means we have a building that is as good as any other in New Zealand as far as environmental sustainability of design is concerned – a great achievement! It also means that our flagship building really will be a national flagship and we can expect quite a few visitors who will want to come and gawk at it to see how and why it is better than theirs! In the meantime it is not all plain sailing, and the Library staff are having to cope with unfavourable conditions on a daily basis. Although their patience has been stretched on many occasions, it is really good to see that most staff still have a cheery and positive disposition towards FMD and the construction staff. Without such wonderful forbearance the project would have been doomed – thank you so much to everyone in the Library! The challenge is now that we should examine all our other processes, materials and waste management practises to make everything as “green” as we can practically be. Tony Dicks Now you see it, now you don’t!
Removal of the sign at the Library (Pictures 8/7/10)
And some other Project news: The lighting in G Block is all being replaced with up‐to‐date modern energy‐efficient lighting that will enable huge costs savings in ongoing consumption. The project was initiated by Robin and we will hopefully be able to continue with other buildings in future years. A new chiller is also being installed in G Block – this time it is being placed at ground level which should make servicing, repairs, etc far easier. John B has commenced the preliminary planning for new facilities for the Faculty of Law (more correctly called Te Piringa – Faculty of Law). At the moment the dreams far exceed the likely capital funding available but the planning and negotiations are still at a very early stage so we are hopeful of a really favourable (and “green”) outcome. Trevor and his team this year entered into a contract which ensures a far more planned approach to the exterior maintenance of campus buildings. The results are already evident and many of the buildings are looking “sharper” than they have for many years. The TX group of buildings is being radically smartened up – yes, they are still small prefab buildings, but with a new coat of paint, some additional decking and revised gardens and walkways, they will be far more attractive. Some writing tips Looking over the log book kept by the
computer support staff at his office,
the boss noticed several entries stating
the problem was PICNIC.
Here are a few tips for writing reviews, comments and even “Letters to the Editor.” They are simple and powerful: 1. Be brief. Usually, less really is more. He asked one of the technicians
2. Be specific. Illustrate points and give examples. what PICNIC meant.
3. Be targeted. Start out with a writing objective. 4. Say what you mean. Be personal. Write from your heart and give He laughed as the
original thoughts. technician told him it meant
5. Mean what you say. If anything doesn't quite pass your authenticity meter, rework it. "Problem In Chair, Not In Computer"
6. Don't be mean when you say it. While you might take issue with something that has been said or written, or you wish to point out an FMD Social Club update
omission, be graceful in your expression. If you are writing because "someone who done you wrong," target the action and avoid Don’t forget the Social Club will be having a demonising the person. free Sausage Sizzle lunch in the FMD courtyard at midday on Wednesday 4th August Some snippets of people news Charlie Watson’s daughter will soon be leaving for Norway – she will be over there for a year on an AFS scholarship and Charlie specially took annual leave during the last school holidays to spend some quality time with her. We wish her a wonderful trip. *** *** *** Black Friday $100.00 Raffle August 13th 2010 is the only Black Friday this year. To James and Charlie recently got rid of half a dozen old desks – they celebrate this, we are having a raffle with the prize of were donated to a very grateful IHC who will use them in their various $100.00 and one either side $10.00. offices throughout the region. If you would like to have a ticket or two or more, please Robin has been having a bit of time off lately – yes, he is busy finishing see Faye to seal the deal. off another new house after vowing he wouldn’t build another one! Well done, Robin, let’s hope everything goes well for you out there in So far this year the raffle participants who have won a the country. prize, have only won once, as opposed to last year when several people won twice or more times. Good to see A very enjoyable mid‐winter Christmas was held at the Cossie Club – the results being spread around. good company and a really good meal, but most of the team were a bit hesitant to get out on the dance floor. Well done to Bryan and Eve Several lotto participants however, have won twice this for leading the way. year. They are James, Kenny, Giles, Lorna and Donna Leigh doesn’t just spend all day walking around campus and doing (not the tea‐lady), Janet and Karl. Obviously some physical work, she also runs for pleasure! Recently she went over to people are luckier than others. Brisbane and competed in her first half‐marathon, doing even better than her target. And to add to that she has recently completed her Thanks again to everyone who supports the raffles and studies and passed with flying colours. Awesome effort! lotto draws. It is the proceeds of these that subsidise And while we are mentioning the Grounds team, there is one member activities like the sausage sizzles, functions & bus trips. who has just had a birthday – keep going, Mark, you don’t look a day over 50! ITM Rugby Competition John C recently had some interesting adventures – both his brothers had one of their hip joints replaced, the operations being a couple of days apart! So John became the “fetcher and carrier” for a while – should we be calling him Nurse John? Our in‐house rugby competition starts again on Thursday 29th July, and runs for 13 weeks. We have 36 participants this time round. For those of you taking part don’t forget to get your picks in on time ‐‐‐ THURSDAY (not Friday as per the Super 14 competition). Tony and Nola will be heading off shortly for a 4 week holiday in South Africa – catching up with family, etc. CALCULATION OF GST WHEN THE NEW RATE KICKS IN
During the time that the GST rate has been 12.5%, the calculation of the GST exclusive amount from the gross amount has been easy – but this is all set to change! At a GST rate of 15%, the calculation of the GST exclusive amount from the gross amount will be using a multiplication factor of 20/23. Try it and see – use a figure of say, 115 or 230. Facilitation will be produced monthly. This publication is available online at http://www.waikato.ac.nz/fmd/
For communications relating to the FMD newsletter please contact Judy Swetman, ext 4980, email [email protected].