Newsletter No. 226

Information in this section can only  be accessed with CWEM password .   若要瀏覽本部分的資料， 請須輸入 中大校園電子郵件密碼 。 Mr. William Au: Campus Security with a Christian Touch Getting to Know Your New Colleague Mr. William Au, the new director of the Security and Transport Office since February 2003, is a seasoned top police officer who does not look a day older than 35. Du r i ng his 30-year career w i t h the Police Force, he had wo r ked for every unit except the Marine Police and the former Special Branch. He was district commander of Sha Tin prior to joining the University, and previously, of Tsuen Wan and Wong Tai Sin. In 1996, he coordinated police rescue efforts for the tragic Garley Building fire. But Mr. Au's career had not always been connected w i th the d i s c i p l i na ry forces. A f t er g r adua t i ng f r om the University of Hong Kong in 1971, he taught history for a year. This was followed by a six-month stint i n a bank. He joined the police i n 1972, and a few years later, earned a part-time M.Phil. in sociology from The Chinese University. More Polished Services Not only does Mr. A u look y o u t h f u l , he has also been r e j uvena t i ng the Un i v e r s i t y 's security and transport systems. You may have noticed that since July, security guards and drivers on campus can be identified by the name tag on their uniforms. If you are impressed or less than impressed by the service of a school bus driver, you now know that he is Mr. XYZ. If you drive, you may notice that guards at the gates have been greeting you w i t h a smile or a nod as you enter or leave the campus. And if you are a putonghua speaker, do not be surprised if a security guard starts rattling off in putonghua to you. They are all being encouraged to learn the dialect at the N ew Asia-Yale-in-China Chinese Language Centre. These are but some of Mr. Au 's immediate efforts at stepping up the service quality of security and transport personnel at CUHK. Signage and Parking Labels His more long-term plans include s i mp l i f y i ng parking labels, solving problems of the free parking policy, and i mp r o v i ng parking signage. A t present, there are 14 types of labels covering vehicles owned by staff, students, alumni, family members of staff, guests, and other individuals connected to CUHK. Mr. A u believes the categories can be reduced for more efficient administration. The University has always had a rather generous pa r k i ng policy that encourages alumni and visitors to frequent its libraries, cafeterias, and swimming pool. While excellently intentioned, it has also been an easy target for abuse. Mr. A u is all for finding a solution that protects the University's parking income while preserving the original idea behind the policy. The signage system in campus car parks is unclear. For example, instead of indicating which labels are not allowed in, as car parks outside would, the ones here indicate which ones can enter, say label A. This leaves B, A / B , C, D, and U confused,' Mr. A u remarked. But as such plans involve other units within the University, their realization depends on the consensus reached and the subsequent approval of the Administrative Affairs Comm i t t ee ( A AC) and the A dm i n i s t r a t i ve and Planning Committee (AAPC). Adjusting to Campus Culture Running a 120-man security and transport team in the peaceful University community won't leave Mr. Au, who used to manage 900 policemen in Sha Tin— Hong Kong's most highly populated area, biting his fingernails. However changes take longer to implement here because client opinion is taken extremely seriously. 'Although I'm still adjusting to the pace and culture here, I think it's generally positive. New regulations may take longer to pass because consultation is thorough, but once they are passed, there is little opposition to their being carried out,' he pointed out. His ultimate test, however, is that of the juggler— h ow to hand le service i mp r o v eme nt and cost reduction at the same time with one hand tied. 'Certain options, such as cutting salaries, cannot be considered. There are bus routes that are losing money but which w o u l d be p o l i t i c a l l y incorrect to cancel because staff and students feel they need them,' he said. The alternatives left i nc l ude f r e e z i ng p o s i t i o ns a nd promotions, and reviewing the patrol frequency of safer corners of the campus. A Christian's Approach Mr. A u wo u l d like to request the U n i v e r s i ty community to treat guards and drivers as family and not to give t hem an unnecessarily d i f f i cu lt time even if they've impounded the vehicle y ou parked i n haste on someone's balcony. Being respected is essential to morale. ' As a Christian, I believe i n showing my staff that I care. That is why I've spent a lot of time talking to them i n batches. They may be surprised to find that I'm not the brusque and surly ex-cop they imagined me to be. Even while working i n Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin, I never once lost my temper.' A n d therein lies the key to a y o u t h f ul appearance and positive mindset. Piera Chen Personalia •人事動態 •Per sona l i a •人事動態 •Per sona l i a •人事動態 •Per sona l i a •人事動態 •Per sona l i a •人事動態 4 No. 226 19th September 2003