Restructuring Timeline
September 10, 2009
The 21st-Century USM: From President Selma Botman
I understand that there may be some confusion around the timeline for considering the various white paper scenarios. The timetable described in the white paper no longer applies. As you may recall, the task force completed its work shortly before Commencement, with the exception of the estimated cost savings attached to the various scenarios. I announced last spring that it made most sense to postpone distribution of the white paper until the Opening Breakfast when the cost-saving estimates were complete and the faculty were back on campus.
Consequently, I adjusted the schedule to build in adequate time for conversations to take place during the fall semester. As I said at our breakfast, I will make my decisions early next semester. We will then spend the remainder of the spring semester developing an implementation plan.
I have begun meeting one-on-one and in small groups with faculty leadership. The deans have been asked to work with faculty to provide opportunities for interdisciplinary discussions. We also will be encouraging staff throughout the schools, colleges and units to discuss the ideas in the white paper and to develop their own ideas.
I have scheduled a series of open town meetings and an all-faculty meeting.
- 3 to 4 p.m., Monday, October 26, in Hastings Formal Lounge, Gorham;
- 3 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, October 27, in Hannaford Lecture Hall, Portland;
- 3 to 4 p.m., on Wednesday, October 28, in Room 170 of LAC;
- All-faculty meeting, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, October 29, Hannaford Lecture Hall, Portland.
I look forward to conversations that will continue throughout the fall semester. I invite you to revisit the breakfast speech and the white paper at www.usm.maine.edu/pres/publications.
Why Reorganize?
I just returned from a USM Corporate Partners meeting where I was asked if we balanced the budget last year, why reorganize USM? I offered two explanations. First, we will continue to operate in an environment of constantly increasing costs and decreasing revenues. Second, we must reorganize so that we can capture dollars to invest in distinctive programs. Without new dollars, that will not happen. Yes, we could maintain the status quo and continue the struggle with rising costs and fewer resources. Our students, faculty and staff deserve better.
Please visit my Web site for official communications on a range of issues. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at president@usm.maine.edu. I also invite you to check out my blog at https://blogs.usm.maine.edu/president
