UCOP Restructuring Update for Week of November 10, 2008
November 13, 2008
- Update on UCOP budget and layoffs
- Upcoming brown bag meetings
- IR Director Named
- New jobs posted
- Questions and answers
Colleagues,
This week's update contains some important information about the final UCOP budget for 2008-09 and its impact on staffing, including layoffs, as well as reminders of upcoming brown bag meetings and job openings.
Revised UCOP budget staffing impacts
As previously mentioned, we are bringing a final 2008-09 budget for the Office of the President to the Regents later this month. This final budget will reflect savings and efficiencies we have achieved thus far -- through the voluntary separation program, vacancies, the rollout of the new consolidated and reorganized business units, and other restructuring-related efforts and it will also reflect additional budget reductions we need to achieve over the rest of this fiscal year to cope with the very serious budget challenges we continue to face. As you may have read, earlier this week Gov. Schwarzenegger proposed $65.5 million in additional mid-year budget cuts to our budget, which are in addition to the $48 million reduction for UC that was included in the final 2008-09 State budget.
In order to meet the final 2008-09 UCOP budget, each department head at UCOP is continuing to assess their operations in order to identify where they need to make further reductions, including layoffs, over the next several months. All vice presidents have been asked to hold all-staff meetings to inform employees of the impacts of these budget cuts on their department operations and staffing levels. If you've not already received information about the timing of your department's all-staff meeting, please feel free to contact your vice president.
We know this news adds to the anxiety and pressures all of us are already dealing with, and we regret that. Unfortunately, there are many aspects to this process we do not control, such as the national economic climate and the State's fiscal problems. Although this information is difficult to receive, as well as to deliver, it is important that all UCOP employees understand the current realities we face. We are committed to providing you as much information as possible throughout this process, however unpleasant it may be, so you know what is happening and what it may mean for you.
Upcoming brown bag meetings
Next week's brown bag meetings will focus on the revised UCOP budget, and provide an overview of the status of the restructuring initiatives. Details are as follows:
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Franklin, 11326Friday, November 21, 2008
Kaiser, 612
Both meetings are scheduled from Noon to 1:30pm.
If you are unable to attend a meeting in person, you can participate by phone:
Dial: 866-740-1260
Access code: 4309789
Prior to Wednesday's meeting, presentation material will be posted on the Public Forums page of the UCOP Restructuring website.
Update on new positions
- New IR director: Kathleen Dettman, currently the Director of Academic Planning, Resources and Analysis at UC Santa Cruz, has been named by President Yudof as Director of the new Institutional Research unit, effective December 1. Dettman is a 23-year veteran of the University who was responsible for building a similar consolidated institutional research unit at UC Santa Cruz and assisted in developing the detail design for UCOP's new IR structure. Even before her official start date, Dettman will begin the process of filling the other IR leadership and staff positions. Employees that have applied for one of the content manager, analyst or data steward positions can expect to be contacted within the next several weeks about the interview and hiring processes. More information about the IR unit is available at online.
- New AVP for Policy and Analysis position: This is a newly created position reporting directly to the President, responsible for leading and coordinating the development of proactive policy initiatives for UC. The AVP, on behalf of the President, will oversee the work of the new IR and IMPAC units, including overseeing the analysis of proposed initiatives, leading processes for arriving at recommendations for the President, and integrating the institutional research and policy management functions. In addition, the AVP will work closely with the Vice Provost, Strategic Planning and Accountability to ensure the integration of the research and policy development activities with ongoing academic strategic planning and accountability efforts. More about this position is available in the job description, which has just been posted to the UCOP jobs website.
- New IMPAC jobs: Positions will be posted today for the Executive Director, Directors and Coordinator positions for the new Issues Management Policy Analysis and Coordination unit, which as noted above will now report to the AVP for Policy and Analysis in the Immediate Office of the President.
- New SPPA jobs: Several positions will be posted this week in the new Strategic Planning, Programs and Accountability unit, including the three Directors reporting to the Vice Provost. SPPA is a new, consolidated unit created within Academic Affairs to conduct long-range and strategic academic planning, manage the University's accountability framework, and provide oversight for selected systemwide services. Other positions will be posted in the Accountability unit, Strategic Planning unit and Systemwide Program Support unit, and all positions will be posted for a minimum of three weeks.
- Communications and BRC jobs closing: Just a reminder that the application periods are closing for several positions in the new Communications unit and in the BRC. Employees interested in these positions who have not yet submitted applications may do so via the UCOP Jobs website.
Questions and answers
A reminder to all employees that your feedback about the UCOP restructuring process is important and welcome. Employees with questions, ideas and suggestions are encouraged to submit their comments through the feedback page. Messages sent through the feedback are anonymous (unless employees choose to identify themselves).
Katie
Katherine N. Lapp
Executive Vice President, Business Operations
