Frequently asked questions about ANR’s restructuring
What was the decision-making process for the restructuring?
ANR employees initiated discussion of implementation of the ANR Strategic Vision at our statewide conference in late April. The ideas generated at the conference were carefully reviewed and evaluated by Program Council and the Senior Leadership Team. Many ideas have been discussed at county director meetings, statewide program meetings, and during the work of the Administrative Review Council. Program Council considered all of this information and identified options and strategies to achieve the $9 million permanent budget reduction and to implement the Strategic Vision. One objective was to reduce administrative costs to preserve money for programs. Program Council’s difficult but necessary recommendations were reviewed by the Executive Council before forming the basis of the vice president’s decisions.
To whom will county directors report in the new structure?
This will evolve as the new county structure is determined.
If county directors have a question about potential liability, who should they ask?
They should consult Jake McGuire, controller, about liability issues.
What is the role of the academic personnel office at the ANR Building in Davis?
The academic personnel office in Davis will manage the merit and promotion process and recruitment among many other academic personnel functions -- functions that used to be performed by the regional offices and ANR in Oakland.
Who will review merit and promotion packages this year?
The process will remain fundamentally the same.
How close are we to meeting the $9 million budget cut target with these actions?
If we take all of the actions announced and achieve the savings we expect, we will be close to meeting the $9 million target. Remember that we also have a $5 million temporary budget reduction that we must meet. The temporary budget reduction will be partially offset by furlough salary savings.
How can we continue to compete for targeted USDA funds and other grants?
We still have people working in those areas where programs are being closed. Faculty, specialists and advisors with those interests should continue to compete for federal funds. If we don’t have a statewide program in an area, such as the Small Farm Program, that shouldn’t prevent us from competing for grants.
Specialists and faculty have been offered options to lessen the impact of furloughs on their research and education programs. Why haven’t those options been offered to advisors?
We have requested permission for advisor participation in the Furlough Exchange Program and hope to be able to announce it soon.
How can we get involved and give input regarding the initiative advisory groups?
A mix of research and extension people are needed to help design each initiative’s 5-year mission, which will form the basis for requests for proposals. Ideas and suggestions of people for the advisory groups should be sent to barbara.allen-diaz@ucop.edu.
How will you staff the new business and program support units?
A combination of reassignment and open recruitment will be used to staff the units.
How will campus AES programs be affected by the restructuring?
Members of the Agricultural Experiment Station will have more opportunities to engage with their CE colleagues in solving researchable issues important to California through the initiative process. The campuses also have to accommodate a portion of the university’s budget reduction.
We foresee large numbers of advisors retiring in the near future. Will those positions be refilled?
Our current process (through Program Council) for filling positions in high priority areas will continue. We will be aligning the positions with the initiatives.
Are there more changes to come?
The changes announced are believed to address the budget cuts. There may be a few more changes.
There is no guarantee that there won’t be further budget reductions. Some of the cuts were intended only for this fiscal year so UC and ANR are developing an advocacy effort to address funding needs.
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