PLANNING FOR
"EXCELLENCE"

Despite researching the "Operational Excellence" plan" since it was announced, I still cannot answer the question our members are asking: "Will I be laid off?" 

UCSF's chancellor did state unequivocally that, "The furlough program ends in August 2010." Good news.

At her "Town Hall" in May, the Chancellor was long on theory and common sense, short on specifics.

After Barbara French delivered the shortest introduction in history, Chancellor Desmond-Hellmann elaborated on a PowerPoint version of the "Budget, Operation & Excellence Report to The Campus."

There will be cuts, attributed to the the state's budget cuts.  She said that about 56% of them will occur in Central Administration, while the Medical Center will offset about a third of the amount by relinquishing all state funds.  The schools will "shoulder the remainder."

Sue kept referring to "rising employee costs," at one point calling them "daunting increases," apparently forgetting the layoffs, furloughs and flat salaries.  It was encouraging when she referred to the "amazing staff and faculty" of UCSF.

There is room for greater efficiency.  For instance, she referred to as UCSF's "Lego-like structure," what some observers might term "bureaucracy" and/or "red tape."  The Chancellor intends to try "decreasing administrative requirements that do not advance our mission." 

Besides budget reductions, health care costs are increasing and, for the first time in 20 years, contributions to employee retirement have been reinstated.  (CX employees have been exempt from these, as well as the furloughs, as contract negotiations continue.)  According to a senior vice chancellor, John Plotts, many departments will be reconfigured, with care to follow any contractual obligations.

Desmond-Hellmann singled out one department, Human Resources, as overstaffed, according to a national benchmark.  Beyond that, she would not commit herself.

The Chancellor welcomed comments and suggestions from the campus.  If you would like to do that, please be respectful.

Her e-mail is: sue.hellmann@ucsf.edu,
· phone (415) 435-8417
· Town Hall meeting on YouTube
· Lisa Cisneros @ UCSF today

- gt - CUE staff