Provost Warwick Arden is directing a strategic reorganization plan to realign the Office of the Provost for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Chancellor Woodson, who charged the Provost with implementing the realignment plan, has accepted and announced the recommended changes, which consolidate programs and promote student success.
The Board of Trustees will have the final say over which recommendations to implement.
“You will see an effort to build on the similarities between units to create new opportunities for effectiveness and efficiency; a new approach to creating academic capacity; reductions in bureaucracy; and most of all a renewed dedication to student success,” Woodson said in a public message.
The reorganization and consolidation of positions and responsibilities is aimed to accomplish specific goals.
“This [strategic realignment] really has two major objectives. One is to have us aligned so that we can operate more effectively and efficiently as an institution, but also to save some money in the long run as well,” Arden said.
The Division of Student Affairs will merge with the Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs into what will be known as the Division of Student Services and Programs ( DSSP ).
The subcategories of both of these divisions will shift from five to four main divisions, which are Health, Wellness, and Student Development; Campus Life; Academic Services and Programs; and Arts NC State.
“The primary focus of the new division ( DSSP ) is to enhance student success across campus. DSSP will facilitate partnerships and increase the synergy among units that focus on student life and those that focus on academic issues. New and improved programs geared to help students succeed will be one outcome of this merger,” José A. Picart , vice provost for academic services and programs, said.
While the reorganization will not be fully implemented until July 1, 2012, the offices of the provost and other programs have already taken action. Deans of all colleges will meet over the next few weeks to submit final recommendations to the provost by the end of next month, according to Lisa Zapata , associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs.
“While the framework of the new organization has been created, the implementation team is currently in the process of seeking input from faculty, staff and students across campus on several components of the organization. Final recommendations will be submitted to Provost Warwick Arden by the end of October,” Zapata said.
Other changes include the creation of one Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development, as well as the combination of the offices of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and Inclusion into one Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.
“The office of Extension, Engagement and Economic Development will be abolished when Dr. Jim Zuiches retires at the end of this year. We’ve also combined the office of Diversity and Inclusion with the office of Equal Opportunity into one office,” Arden said.
In response to whether these changes will save the university any money, Tim Luckadoo , associate vice chancellor for student affairs, said they will.
“There will be some reduction in administration with the merger, so there will be some cost savings,” Luckadoo said.
While these changes will be cost effective, the primary purpose for the reorganization of the office of the provost is to maximize efficiency within the University, according to Arden.
“It was really a place where you start having about thirty programs or divisions of the University that responded directly to me, so I really just had to develop increased organizational efficiency,” Provost Arden states.
Alex Miller, associate vice chancellor for Students Affairs, acknowledged the positive impact the realignment will have on students.
“My faculty and staff feel strongly that the reorganization will benefit N.C . State students and enhance the University’s commitment to student success, and we view that as the principal goal of the realignment,” Miller said.
