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Dateline staff

Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi this week formally announced the split of the Offices of the Chancellor and Provost, as part of a reorganization of UC Davis’ executive office structure. A single administrative services cluster, reporting to the provost and executive vice chancellor, handles the business-finance, human resources and technology functions for both offices.

In a May 24 letter to the Council of Deans and Vice Chancellors, Katehi noted a savings of at least $3.4 million over the last three years in administrative costs in the executive offices, due to reductions in the infrastructure. From July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2011, the budget will have dropped from $13.4 million to about $10 million, Katehi said, and full-time equivalent positions will have declined from 215 to 185 to meet budgetary targets.

“We have done this in a way that significantly flattens the organizational hierarchy of the executive offices,” she said.

She cited the elimination of two manager and senior professional (MSP) positions in the administrative services cluster, and the consolidation of the chief operating officer and principal staff adviser to the provost-executive vice chancellor, into the position of assistant executive vice chancellor.

And, Katehi said, “Our streamlining efforts continue.” Specifically, she said she is working with Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter to move desktop support, systems administration and payroll functions into the Administrative and Resource Management service cluster.

“Moreover, we will further reduce middle management in the offices of the chancellor and the provost by bringing additional administrative teams into the administrative services cluster,” she said. This effort already has led to the elimination of an MSP position in the Office of the Vice Provost-Undergraduate Studies.

“Our continued work along these lines will enable us to continue creating efficiencies and reducing unnecessary layers of supervision,” Katehi said.

“As I hope I have made clear, the work of these offices continues under active review as we work together to improve services, streamline business processes, and realign units with the campus organizations that are best suited to support their functions.”

The chancellor’s letter, includes descriptions of the new offices and affiliated units, and an organization chart, is available online.