Thursday, May 13, 2004

Wilmington – UNC Wilmington Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo today announced that she has accepted reorganization plans for two divisions following months of intensive study and review.

In September 2003, Chancellor DePaolo asked Dr. Robert E. Tyndall, vice chancellor for Information Technology Systems and a specialist in organizational management, to evaluate the current structure and effectiveness of the UNCW Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies and make recommendations for improvement. In August 2003, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Mary Gornto was asked to undertake a similar review of the Division for University Advancement, and a consultant was brought in to assess the university’s fundraising strategies.

Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies

Following discussion of his recommendations with the UNCW Board of Trustees and the chancellor’s administrative cabinet, the university today is formally announcing the restructuring of the division that will allow UNCW to carry out its obligation as a public university to serve its region. Dr. Tyndall has been providing leadership for this division during the reorganization.

The reorganization plan clearly supports Chancellor DePaolo’s commitment to building a stronger and enhanced public service component as stated during her installation address April 16. “…our obligation as a public university (is) to serve our region and to reach out to advance the intellectual, ethical, and cultural development of southeastern North Carolina. As we look to local people and businesses and industry to continue to support us, we intend to repay the community that was responsible for our founding and supportive of our ongoing development. But we also want to work intentionally,” she said.

To strengthen UNCW’s regional engagement and outreach, the Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies will be organized into four departments under the vice chancellor’s direction: University Outreach and Community Partnerships, Continuing Studies and Lifelong Learning, UNCW-TV, and Administrative “Gateway” Services. The Small Business and Technology Development Center will be reassigned to the Cameron School of Business to capitalize on the naturall relationships and opportunities this partnership can provide.

This new structure will allow the division to better align its activities with the chancellor’s goals and the institution’s mission.

As part of this process, eight job descriptions have been significantly revised. A total of eight positions have been reassigned to other areas of operation within the university – seven to the Cameron School of Business and one to the Information Technology Services Division.

Six positions are subject to reduction in force effective June 30. In addition, 11 new positions have been established to which employees subject to reduction in force are invited to apply. Human resources personnel will be working with separated employees regarding separation benefits.

The Executive Development Center, which serves as a small conference and training venue for the university, will remain open, operating under a new business model.

The search process for the new vice chancellor is nearing completion.

“It is critical that service to UNCW’s region and the professional community never be viewed as an add-on,” explained Dr. Tyndall. “This restructuring will allow our outreach efforts to be linked to the university’s day-to-day life. I believe this restructuring will provide a strong foundation for the new public service leader to develop fully Chancellor DePaolo’s vision for this area.”

Former and revised organization charts for the Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies are available on Web at http://appserv01.uncw.edu/news/article.asp?ID=1246. A PowerPoint presentation also at the same site provides more details about the reorganization.

Division for University Advancement

Another area of priority for Chancellor DePaolo noted by the UNCW Board of Trustees and others involved in the search process is enhanced fundraising. A divisional restructuring is underway in the Division for University Advancement following a thorough review by Vice Chancellor Mary Gornto.

“The driving factor in this reorganization was to position our division for a successful major campaign,” said Mrs. Gornto. “In that context, we are strengthening areas such as annual giving and major giving, while always being donor-centered.”

As part of that focus, University Advancement is moving from a decentralized or constituent-based model to a hybrid model which focuses on university priorities as well as other areas such as planned giving, corporate and foundation giving, and major gifts.

University Advancement will be reorganized into three major units: Development, external and donor relations, and data management. These changes are effective June 30, 2004.

For additional information, you may contact Dr. Tyndall at 910/962-3888 and Mrs. Gornto at 910/962-3626.