Posts Tagged: program support
Program Support restructured to meet growing event demands
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to let you know about some new and exciting changes within UC ANR's Program Support Unit.
The PSU team is integral to UC ANR's mission delivery and is a highly sought-after service partner. As the UC ANR organization has grown, so too has the demand for assistance with both in-person and virtual events, conferences, meetings, symposia, tours, trainings, etc. To ensure that this unit is optimally resourced and structured to support growing demands, we engaged a consultant to undertake a full organizational review including a benchmarking study of events management teams across the UC system. Based on those findings and recommendations, PSU will be restructured so that it is aligned to better serve UC ANR's diverse needs. The unit will now be divided into two sub-units: 1) External & Executive Events, and 2) Internal Research, Extension & Programmatic Events. Each sub-unit will be led by a separate director. This new structure will go into effect Jan. 22, 2024.
I am very pleased to announce that Sherry Cooper will be the director of the External & Executive Events sub-unit. This function will focus on managing all high-profile external and executive events, including those generated directly through UC ANR's Vice President's office, those involving elected officials, UC Regents, the President's Advisory Commission on ANR, the UC ANR Governing Council, foundations, the Rosenburg Forum and other external affairs. This new role will also allow Sherry to apply her extensive experience and knowledge across the system on a variety of strategic projects.
Given Sherry's transition into this new role, we will begin a search later this month for a new director to lead the Research, Extension & Programmatic Events function. The rest of the PSU team will be aligned under this sub-unit and will continue to focus on events that are requested by UC ANR administrative offices, statewide programs or institutes, RECs, county offices, UCCE personnel, etc.
Although Sherry will undoubtedly have a full plate in her new role, she will continue to be part of PSU and will remain a valuable resource to the team as questions arise. PSU will continue to report to me.
UC ANR is very fortunate to have an outstanding Program Support Unit and I have no doubt that during this transition, the entire team will continue to provide the same exceptional customer service and support for which they are known. Please continue to send all meeting/event requests using PSU's online form: https://ucanr.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0qY3nrex7360RWS and you may continue to communicate with the existing PSU mailbox: ANRProgramSupport@ucanr.edu.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Kathy Eftekhari, Ph.D.
Chief of Staff to the Vice President
New phone numbers for staff in ANR building in Davis
Everyone who moved into the new ANR building located at 2801 Second Street in Davis has a new phone number. Before calling them, please check the ANR directory for their new phone numbers. Email addresses remain unchanged.
- 4-H Foundation
- 4-H Youth Development Program
- Academic Personnel Unit
- Business Operations Center
- Communication Services and Information Technology
- Contracts and Grants
- Development Services
- Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
- Facilities Planning and Management
- Risk & Safety Services
- Integrated Pest Management Program
- Master Gardener Program
- Program Planning and Evaluation Unit
- Program Support Unit
- Research and Extension Center Administrative Office
- Staff Personnel Unit
- Western IPM Center
- Youth, Families and Communities Administrative Office
If you haven’t been in the new building, Steve Heindl gives a virtual tour of the transition from roller skating rink to LEED-certified offices at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ht47V3GZEY&feature=youtu.be.
View or leave comments for ANR Leadership at http://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRUpdate/Comments.
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.
ANR program support funds for advisors, academic coordinators, academic administrators & program reps
ANR leaders are continuing to direct USDA Smith-Lever funding to provide program support funds for advisors, academic coordinators, academic administrators and program representatives serving in county-based programs, statewide programs, research and extension centers and ANR support units.
These funds will be allocated to accounts for FY 2013-14 under the direction of respective unit directors. An increased allocation has been approved based on a formula of $2,000 per advisor, academic coordinator and academic administrator and $1,000 per program representative.
Program support funds may be used in broad support of program activities such as the purchase of specialized equipment, computers, peripherals, etc.; travel and registration costs for professional meetings; training opportunities (professional training or locally organized events); and membership fees to professional societies. Use of these funds will be approved by each unit director.
Funds will be transferred by the Business Operations Center to program support accounts assigned to respective units in October. Each director is expected to manage, allocate and approve expenses in accordance with ANR’s guidelines. Funds must be spent and recorded on the UC account ledgers by June 30, 2014, in accordance with fiscal closing deadlines.
Questions may be directed to Cherie McDougald, ANR Business Operations director at cfmcdougald@ucanr.edu.
View or leave comments for ANR Leadership at http://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRUpdate/Comments.
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.
Administrative reorganization saves ANR $1.3 million
A year ago, Vice President Dooley made a series of announcements outlining action steps needed to address both unprecedented budget cuts totaling over $9 million in permanent reductions and unfunded liabilities while also realigning ANR administrative units and procedures to efficiently support the UC ANR Strategic Vision and to implement its initiatives.
As a significant part of our response to these challenges, a major effort was launched to maximize administrative efficiency, eliminate duplication, and redirect resources to program support. While minor adjustments are still possible, the major elements of this restructuring are in place and fully operational. Moreover, the actions taken have resulted in substantial savings across ANR.
Maximizing Efficiencies:
Steps taken included:
- Closing two executive offices in Oakland ANR
- Closing the North Coast and Mountain, Central Valley, and Central Coast and South regional offices
The closing of the three regional offices accounted for over 34 administrative FTE and over $2.8 million salary and related expenses. Oakland ANR office closings and other actions generated an additional $400,000.
Redistribution and Streamlining:
To streamline administrative support to our roughly 400 academics and program representatives and to consolidate operations across ANR, we redirected these resources along with those from support units and statewide programs to create three centralized support units:
- The Business Operations Center at Kearney for county needs
- The Business Operations Center at Davis for support units and statewide programs
- The Program Support Unit for support of all phases of ANR program delivery.
Total savings from the administrative reorganization is just under $1.3 million. ANR business, personnel, and program support activities and workflow are being handled. Also, we benefit from the fact that coverage and business controls requirements are met.
These changes have not been without other costs as well. Many staff have been affected by closures or restructuring. Virtually all staff have adapted to new realities and accepted new responsibilities. The result is that we are now structured to more efficiently conduct the business of ANR and more effectively support our research and extension mission.
View or leave comments for the Executive Working Group
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.
Live Webcast June 22 - ANR support for AFRI grants
Interested in applying for an AFRI grant? Not sure how to begin or how to proceed?
Those applying for or assisting with the preparation of an AFRI grant application are invited to join ANR Office of Contracts and Grants and the Program Support Unit for a 60-minute AFRI Forum live via Adobe Connect on Tuesday, June 22, at 10 a.m. PDT.
In addition to describing the roles of the two offices as part of the ANR support for AFRI grants, the forum will include a walk-through of the recently launched ANR AFRI web page on the PSU website. It includes a variety of resources available to those interested in applying for ARFI grants, including video guides on how to find, complete and submit an AFRI grants.gov application.
Following a 30-minute overview, staff will respond to questions related to the AFRI application process. Questions will be accepted during the broadcast via the Adobe Connect chat feature.
To enter the meeting, click on this link http://uc-d.na4.acrobat.com/anrafri/. Select “guest” and type your name.
If you have trouble connecting to the event, send a text or leave a voice mail message for Mike Poe at (530) 902-2058 or e-mail mlpoe@ucdavis.edu.
View or leave comments for the Executive Working Group
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.
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