Letter from EVP Turner: Transition process to begin

This has been an eventful week in the life of UO/E, and I want to thank you for the many messages of support and expressions of commitment to make the administrative consolidation of UO/E successful. I will be meeting with Provost Deaton early next week to begin the transition process, and I look forward to working with him to implement the administrative change with a minimum of disruption in our programming.

Over the last few days, I have been interviewed by several media representatives, who asked why the decision to consolidate extension administration was made. MU Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Brady Deaton and I made the recommendation to President Floyd to consolidate the administrative responsibilities of UM System extension and MU extension because we believe it is in the best interest of the University and the state. Our recommendation and President Floyd's decision were made within the context of the President's directive to explore all possible consolidations of System and Columbia campus administrative functions. The bottom line is efficiency. Since the majority of extension program resources are located on the Columbia campus, it makes sense to unify and concentrate administrative functions there. I need to emphasize, however, that UO/E's administrative consolidation will continue to support programming in outreach and extension activities on all UM campuses.

While many details remain to be worked out, we need to continue to fill vacant regional faculty positions as planned. That will be at the top of the list when I meet next week with Provost Deaton to begin the administrative transition. There are no plans to eliminate positions. The administrative team is already lean, and positions supporting affirmative action and field operations have been eliminated. I will keep you informed as details of the consolidation are confirmed, and I hope you will consult the Consolidation FAQ on the web for updates.

Again, our focus during this period of administrative transition must continue to be on programming. Administration's goal is to support programming, and I am confident that our programs will continue to be strong and responsive to the needs of those we serve as we look to the future. Fortunately and appropriately, 95 percent of our resource base is devoted to programming, and only 5 percent is devoted to administration. I believe we can transition the 5 percent in a way that will add value to the 95 percent that makes such a vital difference in the lives of thousands of Missourians.

Thank you for your support during this time of transition, and please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns as we go forward.


		Eileen Yager, yagere@umsystem.edu Weekly News Editor Last modified: January 08, 2007
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