The Academic and Support Service Transformation Task Forces are currently working on the development of reports prioritizing all university programs and support services, with a deadline of submitting these reports to the president no later than November 30, 2013.
"To ensure we are making the best decisions for the future of our university, we will follow a three-phase process following the receipt of the reports," said Busch-Vishniac.
The reports will be released to the campus community and follow with opportunities to provide feedback on the reports for the president's consideration from December 9, 2013 to January 31, 2014.
From February to April, in the analysis and implementation phase, the Provost's Committee on Integrated Planning will be tasked with taking the information provided in the task force reports, feedback provided by the campus community and advice from unit leaders, and conducting any further analysis required with the intent to develop an implementation plan.
The decisions and action phase will begin on May 1, 2014, and will involve the communication of decisions made at a variety of levels within the university based on information gathered in the previous two phases.
"Although 60 per cent of programs and services will be prioritized in categories that may indicate reduced resources, reconfiguration or elimination, we are looking for $20-25 million in permanent savings, or approximately five per cent of our total operating budget," said Busch-Vishniac. "Five million will be made available for new investments in the highest-ranking academic programs and administrative services."
Some decisions will be implemented immediately, while others may take until 2016 and beyond to see full implementation.
President Ilene Busch-Vishniac will be available for media interviews on October 2, 2013 from 11 am to 1 pm. To schedule an interview, please contact Jennifer Thoma at 306-966-1851.
For more information and updates, please visit http://www.usask.ca/finances The next financial town hall will be held on November 5, 2013 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm in Convocation Hall, which will be open to everyone.
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For more information, contact:
Jennifer Thoma
Media Relations
306-966-1851
mailto:jennifer.thoma@usask.ca
About TransformUS
TransformUS, under the direction of President Ilene Busch-Vishniac, is a process in which all academic and support service programs supported by the operating budget will be reviewed simultaneously and equally against criteria that will be developed by two task forces. The Academic Program Transformation Task Force will set criteria and review all academic programs offered through the university. The Support Service Transformation Task Force will set criteria and review the administrative support programs within both the academic units and the administrative units. Both task forces will provide a prioritization report to the President's Office by November 30, 2013. Following receipt of the reports of the task forces, decisions will be made by the governing bodies of the university to invest resources, make no changes, or eliminate or reduce programs or activities that rank as having lower priority according to these criteria.
TransformUS is targeted to achieve $20-25 million in savings annually once fully implemented. Of this, a minimum of $5 million will be made available for new investments in the highest-ranking academic programs and administrative services.
"To ensure we are making the best decisions for the future of our university, we will follow a three-phase process following the receipt of the reports," said Busch-Vishniac.
The reports will be released to the campus community and follow with opportunities to provide feedback on the reports for the president's consideration from December 9, 2013 to January 31, 2014.
From February to April, in the analysis and implementation phase, the Provost's Committee on Integrated Planning will be tasked with taking the information provided in the task force reports, feedback provided by the campus community and advice from unit leaders, and conducting any further analysis required with the intent to develop an implementation plan.
The decisions and action phase will begin on May 1, 2014, and will involve the communication of decisions made at a variety of levels within the university based on information gathered in the previous two phases.
"Although 60 per cent of programs and services will be prioritized in categories that may indicate reduced resources, reconfiguration or elimination, we are looking for $20-25 million in permanent savings, or approximately five per cent of our total operating budget," said Busch-Vishniac. "Five million will be made available for new investments in the highest-ranking academic programs and administrative services."
Some decisions will be implemented immediately, while others may take until 2016 and beyond to see full implementation.
President Ilene Busch-Vishniac will be available for media interviews on October 2, 2013 from 11 am to 1 pm. To schedule an interview, please contact Jennifer Thoma at 306-966-1851.
For more information and updates, please visit http://www.usask.ca/finances The next financial town hall will be held on November 5, 2013 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm in Convocation Hall, which will be open to everyone.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Thoma
Media Relations
306-966-1851
mailto:jennifer.thoma@usask.ca
About TransformUS
TransformUS, under the direction of President Ilene Busch-Vishniac, is a process in which all academic and support service programs supported by the operating budget will be reviewed simultaneously and equally against criteria that will be developed by two task forces. The Academic Program Transformation Task Force will set criteria and review all academic programs offered through the university. The Support Service Transformation Task Force will set criteria and review the administrative support programs within both the academic units and the administrative units. Both task forces will provide a prioritization report to the President's Office by November 30, 2013. Following receipt of the reports of the task forces, decisions will be made by the governing bodies of the university to invest resources, make no changes, or eliminate or reduce programs or activities that rank as having lower priority according to these criteria.
TransformUS is targeted to achieve $20-25 million in savings annually once fully implemented. Of this, a minimum of $5 million will be made available for new investments in the highest-ranking academic programs and administrative services.