Letter from the Editor, Winter 2003

by Randi Adair

It looks like winter has finally arrived, and with it, the latest issue of New Directions, Financial Management’s quality newsletter!

Fall was an eventful quarter in Financial Management. The variety in this issue’s stories reflects this, from details on special outreach projects (Money 101) to the latest information on FM staff recognition (Kudos, Recognition Roundup, New Website Updates Just In From the Recognition Quality Team!). We have also included the inside scoop on a recent Board presentation in which Financial Management was praised for its financial efficiency (Board of Regents Reviews Financial Management Data) and a piece on the UW’s computer ethics policy (Computer Ethics–What Would Your Mother Say?).

This quarter’s issue lays particular emphasis on the in-house planning and process improvement events that guide the workings of our organization. Financial Services and the Executive Improvement Team (EIT) are key groups whose recent staff retreats are discussed (EIT Retreat—Reflections of a Seasoned Newcomer), the Grant and Contract Accounting receivables overhaul continues to make progress (GRIP Team Moving Full Steam Ahead) and Payroll is working on process improvement (Process Improvement Really Works—Ask Me How!. We hope that by sharing highlights of these long and laborious planning processes you will be able to get a sense of the care that goes into FM quality efforts.

Remember that the New Directions newsletter is also available in a printable pdf form, just click on the New Directions icon at the bottom of this page. We appreciate the comments that you have provided on past issues, and hope that you will continue to contact our editing staff for feedback, questions or submissions. Thanks for taking the time to read about Financial Management. We are proud to offer another episode in the ongoing FM quality chronicle!

From myself and the rest of our editorial board, Happy New Year!

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