June 17, 2015

Dear Members of our Campus Community,

I am writing to share with you some organizational changes we are making to the Office of Budget and Planning and the Administrative Services Division. As our campus emerges from the recent era of budget reductions, and as we implement Phase 1 of our new financial system, we have an opportunity to rethink the organization and management of central campus financial services. We expect to continue to face challenges of reduced State funding for operations and capital investments, and we are finding ways to manage our resources in the most effective manner possible.

Last fall I formed an advisory group, consisting of Todd Lee, Marc Fisher, Pam Lombardo, Chuck Haines, and Lisa Sedgwick, chaired by Professor Joel Michaelsen, to study the two divisions and to define the best structure and functions for both divisions to maximize their effectiveness, efficiency, and ability to provide the best support and service for the campus. In light of our recently approved Long Range Development Plan (LRDP), the group evaluated how to ensure that our campus administration is structured to most effectively address the opportunities and challenges that will arise as we implement the plan in the years ahead.

In consultation with the Chair of the Academic Senate, and consistent with changes we have seen at the UC Office of the President and other UC campuses, we will be consolidating the central campus financial services that are presently provided by the Office of Budget and Planning and by Business and Financial Services into a single organization under the leadership of Todd Lee in a capacity overseeing overall campus financial affairs.

Effective July 1, 2015, the following units and functions will be transferred into the new control point of Finance and Resource Management:

  • From Business and Financial Services: Office of the Controller, Accounts Payable, BARC, Equipment Management, Extramural Funds, General Accounting, Payroll, Procurement Services, and Travel and Entertainment.
  • From the Office of Budget and Planning: Budget Office, Capital Planning, Institutional Research, Real Estate, and Community Housing Authority.

Furniture Services and Mail Services will remain as functional units within Administrative Services. In addition, Academic Program Review and Assessment, currently within Budget and Planning, will now report to the Executive Vice Chancellor.

This newly restructured organization will provide campus-wide leadership and coordination for financial reporting, planning, policy, analysis, and operations. It also allows Administrative Services to focus more closely on responsibilities associated with audit and advisory services, campus design and facilities, environmental health and safety, housing and residential services, human resources, police, transportation and parking services, and the University Center.

These organizational changes are designed to strengthen both divisions and improve not only internal functioning, but also services to the campus. I appreciate the hard work of our colleagues in planning and implementing these changes, for the benefit of our entire campus community.

Sincerely,

Henry T. Yang
Chancellor