Update from May 18, 1999

The campus has moved one step further in its administrative restructuring efforts, according to the Campus Committee for Organizational Restructuring (CCOR). Appointed by Chancellor Scott and chaired by Deputy Chancellor Williams, CCOR was charged with identifying academic support processes that might benefit from review, assessment, and possible redesign, as described in the campus work plan for restructuring, Striving for Excellence.

The general goals of Striving for Excellence were described by Scott as improving the quality of services to faculty, staff, and students and identifying savings that could be reinvested to fund major strategic initiatives. Eight processes were identified by CCOR for review. Their selection was approved by the Chancellor's Executive Advisory Council (CEAC). A sponsor, team leader, and project team was appointed for each process. CCOR reports that two of the project teams submitted final reports last week.

The "Small-Scale Renovation and Construction Projects" review team's recommendations include the establishment of a dedicated, self-sustaining, accountable small projects department within Physical Plant, charged with the goal of completing, within an average of thirty days, all projects costing less than $10,000; a "first-in, first-out" project prioritization system; priority access to dedicated project engineering services; changes in the University accounting process to achieve more timely reimbursements for completed work; and a customer feedback and project status system. The review team was sponsored by Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Paul Page and led by Donald Robinson. Its members included Robert Duby, John Findley, Charles Gibson, David Markland, John Mathews, Eric Ness, Randy Sailer, James Smith, and Alita Woodcock-Parody.

The "Travel Services Office Feasibility" project team has recommended establishment of a travel services office with the primary function of creating an integrated travel services program to improve service quality and cost efficiencies. Its responsibilities would include systems coordination, marketing, and finance. The travel services program would include contractual arrangements with travel service providers (especially airlines), use of which would be optional. The travel services project team was also sponsored by Page and was led by Chris Roberts. Its members included Sandy Anderson, Paul Berube, Al Byam, Marc Fournier, Deborah Gould, Barbara Jones, Kristina Judd, Maryelise Lamet, and Rae Stiening.

Additionally, CCOR reports that the recommendations of the "Graduate Student Appointment Process" review team are expected next week. That project team is sponsored by Provost Cora Marrett and led by Josh Kroner. Its members include Susan Beaubien, Dawn Briggs, Debra Britt, Laurie Brown, Claire Christopherson, Maria Coach, Carol Forman, Sam Killings, David Lafond, Lucille Leli, Donna Marino, Gloria Smigielski, and Donna Yezierski.

CCOR plans to spend this summer reviewing the three project team reports with the sponsors and team leaders, focussing particular attention on ensuring that strategies are developed to gather advice widely on campus. It is anticipated that the process of soliciting campus input will extend into the fall semester, after which CCOR will make recommendations to CEAC about the changes recommended in the project team reports.

Other Striving for Excellence projects include "Communications and Marketing Strategic Planning," whose project team completed the first phase of its work earlier this semester. The project team reviewed current communication and marketing practices on the campus and developed a positioning statement, a series of University "themes," a visual identity, communication strategies for target markets, and a set of recommendations for improving the return the University obtains on investments made in marketing and communications activities. The project team was sponsored by Vice Chancellor for Advancement Royster Hedgepeth and led by Patricia Vandenberg. Its members included Arlene Cash, Copper Giloth, Wayne Cournoyer, Susan Mattei, George Parks, Steve Demski, Elizabeth Dale, Bob Marcum, John Kingston, Fergus Clydesdale, Esther Terry, Kay Fite, Brian O'Connor, Nnamudi Mokwunye, Lia Wong, and Dave Bojanic.

The "Review of Bookstore and Retail Food Services" project team, as mandated by the Board of Trustees, worked with a consultant whose report is currently under review. The "Student Information System" project team has identified and developed descriptions for ten processes for review, which will be carried out by a consultant. The "Legislative Mandates" and "Interventions to Assist Entering High Risk Students" projects are in earlier stages of review.

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