Chancellor Provides Update on Administrative, Operational Project
Sue Desmond-Hellmann
UCSF Chancellor Sue Desmond-Hellmann, MD, MPH, on March 1 updated the University community on the progress of the administrative and operating efficiencies work group, which is charged with identifying ways to improve operations and reduce costs.
The work group’s recommendations will be presented to the chancellor’s leadership team in late March or early April for discussion with the target of finalizing a plan of action by June, Desmond-Hellmann said in an email message to the UCSF community.
Desmond-Hellmann talked about the need to identify options that significantly reduce costs in response to new financial challenges in a video message released on Feb. 17.
The work group is rethinking the way UCSF does business as the campus looks to reduce costs ranging up to $40 million. To meet its charge, the work group is examining best practices throughout the country in private and public sectors. It is also meeting with groups across the University, seeking input and suggestions.
Meanwhile, the chancellor is asking faculty, staff, students and trainees to continue to forward their ideas to maximize efficiency, reduce costs and achieve operational excellence to [email protected].
Here is the full message from the chancellor.
Subject: UCSF 2011—A Focus on Operational Excellence
March 1, 2010
Colleagues:
I want to provide you with a quick update on the activities of the administrative and operating efficiencies work group. As I said in my February 17 message to the campus, I formed this group because I want to focus on the size and budget of UCSF and want to be sure that every dollar we spend is in service of our mission—patients and health, discovery and education. I charged the group with looking at every aspect of our operations with the aim of ensuring that UCSF is excellent and that we have the talent and resources to be the best university in the world.
The work group’s first areas of study are: campus central administration, information technology, research administration and human resources. As one example of the type of work being undertaken, the group has arranged for an all-day session in mid-March devoted to identifying efficiencies and/or ideas for restructuring to reduce the overall permanent budget and improve operations for the collective organizations of the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, Senior Vice Chancellor—Finance and Administration, Vice Chancellor—Development and Alumni Relations and Associate Vice Chancellor—University Relations. The objective of this session will be to generate ideas that will result in permanent dollar savings and also to identify the operational impact and risks that must be managed with any change. This is just a sample of the type of work being undertaken to ensure that we will be as efficient as possible.
I reiterate my commitment to reviewing every aspect of our operations and keeping you apprised of the timeline for review and process. The entirety of the work group’s recommendations will be presented to my leadership team in late March or early April for discussion with the target of finalizing a plan of action by June.
Please continue to forward your ideas to maximize efficiency, reduce costs and achieve operational excellence to [email protected]. My leadership team, the work group and I welcome your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Susan Desmond-Hellmann, M.D., M.P.H.
Chancellor
Related Links:
UCSF to Focus on Mission to Adjust to New Fiscal Realities, Chancellor Says
UCSF Today, February 17, 2010