WWU recognized as 'Model of Efficiency'

Western Washington University is one of eight colleges and universities recognized by University Business magazine’s Models of Efficiency program, which recognizes innovative approaches for streamlining higher education operations through improvements in technology or business processes.

The latest honorees are featured in the July/August issue of University Business.

Western was honored twice for two different departments. The Accounting Services department was recognized for its newly automated system for processing journal vouchers, eliminating paperwork and redundancies and saving a projected $25,000 annually. Western’s Financial Services department and Western’s bookstore also were recognized for creating a system enabling students to charge their college bookstore purchases to their student accounts instead of personal credit cards, saving the university an estimated $15,000 in annual credit card fees.

“Efficient business operations translate into better experiences for students and administrators alike, and the Models of Efficiency program aims to encourage schools to prioritize service,” said Tim Goral, editor-in-chief of University Business. “These two departments at Western Washington University show how institutions can improve services while reducing costs.”

In addition to Western, the summer 2012 honorees include: Iowa State University; Northern Arizona University; Old Dominion University; Texas A&M Health Science Center; California State University, San Bernardino; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus; and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

Full descriptions of honorees’ projects, as well as those of past rounds and application information for upcoming rounds, can be found at www.universitybusiness.com/moe. The magazine’s Models of Efficiency program is sponsored by Higher One, a leading solutions provider for higher education business office operations.