From: Richard H. Cate

To: UVM Faculty and Staff, Student Government Association, and Graduate Student Senate

Date: September 14, 2011

Re: An update on what's been happening over the summer

The Division of Finance and Enterprise Services has been busy over the summer moving forward a number of initiatives, which I want to briefly describe:

• The merger of the Computer Depot into the Bookstore is on track. The organizational changes have already occurred and the physical move of the Depot into the Bookstore’s space is scheduled to be completed by October 3, 2011.
• The project to move payroll administration from Human Resource Services (HRS) to University Financial Services (UFS) is moving forward. The first phase, scheduled to be complete by October 1st, involves the organizational reporting change and the creation of a Payroll Processing front office. A second phase of the project, scheduled to start in the spring of 2012, will look at ways to improve the delivery and efficiency of the payroll process while reducing exposure to regulatory and legal risk. Look for more information by e-mail in the near future. In the meantime, please continue processing forms as you do today and all contact points remain the same.
• Staff from Enterprise Technology Services partnered with Enrollment Management to implement a block scheduling system that will allow the Registrar’s Office to utilize classroom space more efficiently. This project was completed on time and for less than 50% of the anticipated budget.
• Working with the Vermont Advanced Computing Center, ETS staff acquired and installed IBM server equipment to upgrade the VACC High Performance Computing facility, tripling its capacity to over 20 teraflops.
• The PeopleSoft 9.1 upgrade project is underway; visit the project’s website for details.
• A new electronic salary distribution form has already significantly reduced errors and made the retroactive distribution process easier to manage for both campus and central office staff.
• Wireless network coverage in campus residence halls has been upgraded to current standards and speeds and expanded to cover all areas of those residences.  ResLife now provides 100% coverage for wireless service in those areas.
• A revised Travel Policy was introduced on July 1st. There are significant changes and if you have not had a chance to read it yet I encourage you to do so.

Over the next several months, the Division will be undertaking an effort to better understand you, our customers. Our first task will be to gain insights into the world in which you operate:  how your "typical" day goes, what barriers make it difficult to do your work, what you view as success, and more. We’ll use this information to help build our operating plan which will then drive better service to you.

We’ll be asking a number of students, faculty, and staff to help inform this process through focus group research. If you are selected to participate, you’ll be receiving an invitation with more information on the process and what to expect. Your input will be indispensable in helping the Division of Finance and Enterprise Services develop an operational plan focused on meeting your needs as efficiently as possible.

Please contact Eric Hoefel at eric.hoefel@uvm.edu or 656-4093 if you would like further information on any of the items above.

Sincerely,

Richard H. Cate
Vice President for Finance & Administration

Last modified September 16 2011 01:04 PM