Idea.net helps put staff ideas to work

The President’s Staff Forum’s first project, Idea.net—an avenue to submit innovative ideas to units across campus—is about to bear fruit.

Sojourner Truth, an office assistant in Linguistics, sent her idea to Idea.net to get improved signage at the UW Visitors Information Center just in time to help Brian Richards, the center’s new program coordinator.

Richards, who joined the UW in January, set as one of his first priorities the improvement of street signage at the center. The concept was under consideration when Truth’s idea came in. Her comments confirmed what Richards thought and has helped move the signage project along.

“I worked at another university where a lot of emphasis was put on being welcoming to the public,” Truth said. “When I came here I immediately noticed you could get off the bus or out of your car at the University and not have a clear idea of how to get to your destination. The improved signage will also help those of us with mobility limitations because the extra walking and wheel-chair mileage involved in looking for a building not clearly marked is quite hard on many of us.”

“I was really glad when I heard about Idea.net because it was an opportunity for me to participate,” she said. “I am very impressed that ideas from staff are as welcome as they are now. I don’t think that was the case a few years ago. The people at Idea.net responded exceptionally well.”

Richards was equally pleased with Truth’s idea because it helped him make his case.

He would like to have signage on the awning on the north side of the building at 4014 University Way N.E. and in the windows on the north and west sides. He will be meeting with a member of the UW Architectural Review Board this week to determine the design specifics.

Truth’s idea was one of nine that have been submitted to Idea.net so far. Some of the other ideas concerned access to restrooms, changes in bike racks and traffic congestion.

“We were really delighted with the mix of ideas that have come in so far,” said Clare Hannan, former chair of the Staff Forum’s original employee suggestion committee and a communications specialist in the College of Engineering. “It has been a nice blend of people looking at things in fresh ways.”

Of course, some of the ideas were considered previously and can’t be done for financial or other reasons. But everyone who submits an idea to Idea.net gets a guarantee: The team will listen and respond to all ideas submitted in the spirit of innovation and will keep the person submitting the idea informed of results.

The Web site (http://www.washington.edu/president/staff-forum/idea.net) includes a simple form inviting ideas on topics such as finances, transportation, students, human resources, and academic and facilities issues.

The team will evaluate each contribution. If they decide not to pursue it, they will get back to you with an explanation. Otherwise, they will share the idea with the responsible department, which may decide to implement the idea in whole, or part, or explain why not. The final outcome will be shared with the person submitting the idea. This may take a day, a week, a month or longer, depending on the complexity of the idea. ¶