CAS Transition Process of Change
The College of Arts and Sciences will be created through a transparent, thoughtful, thorough, and inclusive change process. Because we have much to do in a very short time, we are using a Change Management model recommended by Dr. John Bruckman, who has been leading large-scale change management projects around the world and teaching the process for over 38 years. (You can learn more about John at the Core Team web page.) The following model is endorsed by President Cullinan, Provost Potter, the Executive Council, and the University Planning Council.
We have formed a small Core Team that will oversee the changes ahead. This group includes the three deans; Josie Wilson (Social Sciences), Joe Graf (Sciences), and Dan Morris (Arts & Letters), and UPC representative Connie Anderson (Library). John Bruckman (Psychology) is our Change Management guide and Hart Wilson (Business) will oversee Project Management issues. Colleen Graves, our staff assistant, will be central to our communications and organization.
The Core Team is small because it is essential that we meet often and work fast. We report regularly to the President’s Executive Council and to the University Planning Council.
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We are establishing small and inclusive Satellite Work Teams to deal with specific issues. Each Satellite Team will have a Team Leader and membership that includes faculty, staff, and students from across campus. Each Satellite Team will be no larger than necessary and have goals that are explicit with appropriate timelines. The Team Leader will keep the Core Team informed of progress and any stumbling blocks encountered, so that we can facilitate effective movement and resolve issues as they immerge. Satellite Teams will make recommendations to the Core Team who will develop a plan for review and endorsement by the Executive Council and UPC. Once approved, the Core Team will implement action steps to achieve the goals of the plan.
We also are developing a vital list of resource people who are experts on the many functions, services, and perspectives that we need to consider. These individuals will periodically be called into the Satellite Teams to help with a particular issue or to ask others to get involved as needed.
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We are creating some of the Satellite Work Teams right away. For example, a sub-group of the Communications Team has already started work on the CAS Transitions web-page that you are using now, and a CAS web-page that will go live by July 1. Other Satellite Teams will begin working once central issues are clarified. For this part of the process, John Bruckman will interview department chairs and key administrators in order to better understand the essential issues that will be reviewed and prioritized by the Core Team. The Core Team will then provide direction for the various Satellite Teams.
The primary goal is to have the initial CAS structure, procedures, facilities, fiscal resources, and staff up and working by July 1, 2007. Some of the details (e.g. unit leadership) will need to be decided by the end of April. Other changes will continue throughout next year.
We will keep you informed and involved, with ample opportunity for input and feedback.
