We Heard You! Findings from Survey #2 by the RCM Team

Posted on Monday, June 8th, 2015

During recent department-by-department presentations, the RCM team launched its second survey to gauge administration, staff and management readiness as Algonquin College rolls out the full RCM model.

RCM empowers Deans and Directors across the College to define their own directions by managing revenues from sources (such as tuition, government grants, corporate training, entrepreneurial initiatives and ancillary profits) with operating expenses. The College, already practicing many core RCM principles, is at the forefront among Canadian colleges to shift to full RCM.

The findings of the survey are both encouraging (44%) indicating readiness across the College to move into the full RCM model, and constructive (38%) with clear feedback to shape upcoming training and information. Comments, both positive and negative, identify specific topics to address going forward, such as support for financial literacy, fingers-to-keyboard training, how subventions and service level agreements will work, and how Deans and Directors will mobilize the principles of RCM.

The survey shows that 63% expect the move to RCM to provide clarity in the scope of services that each program needs and provides. This clarity will be the result, in large part, by the development of Service Level Agreements clearly identifying each area’s offer or requirement for common services, as well as customer service norms. The survey also shows that significant benefits are expected in program sustainability, flexibility and control over local resources, and data to see the “bigger picture”.

As an aside, the recent Kaleidoscope presentation on RCM prompted lively and positive discussions about the increase in transparency across the College: in service levels and performance metrics; management expectations and staff capacity; and new collaborative pathways between departments.

We are currently finalizing our Training Plan that will be composed of four (4) phases:

  • Just in time – within the next two weeks, the description of the journal entry processes and specific General Ledger Codes and descriptions;
  • Specific RCM Training – specific training geared to how to read the financial statements, general finance information and budget training to be available starting in June and repeated several times annually;
  • Review of actual financial information – in June and August, an opportunity with Duane McNair and Grant Perry to look at the Financial reporting system and RCM entries. Two meetings would be scheduled to be able to focus on Academic and Non-Academic departments in separate meetings.
  • Tool Kit – this training is a more of a tool kit of resources and training, internal and external to the College to support skills needed to exceed in leadership and management under RCM, but also in a larger context of management skills.

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