In a message distributed to faculty and staff members earlier this month, Chancellor Dorothy Leland discussed the next steps regarding the campus’s Workforce Planning Initiative. As the process moves forward, the chancellor is assembling three workgroups. Three volunteers are needed to serve as staff representatives, each one focusing on creating a staff hiring plan in following three areas:
- Research Excellence and Academic Distinction
- Student Success
- Organizational Efficiencies and Sustainability
These three working groups will consist of members of the chancellor’s extended cabinet, staff and faculty representatives. Each priority area will be provided with an estimated allocation for staff hires in the area over a multi-year period and will be tasked with creating a staff hiring plan — within the limitations of those resources — that best responds to the critical priorities, needs and goals of the priority area.
Those interested in serving as a staff representative on one of the workgroups must submit a letter of interest via email to Staff Assembly by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 that includes the following:
- Why you are interested in serving on a workforce planning initiative;
- Which workgroup you have the most interest or experience in;
- Reasons why you are a good fit for that particular workgroup;
- Years of service;
- Other campus committee involvement; and
- A statement from your supervisor supporting release time for this project (The time will vary depending on the workgroup and needs).
The Staff Assembly Executive Board will select one staff member for each of the three workgroups and forward those names to Associate Chancellor Ed Klotzbier for final approval. The workgroups will meet January through March.
By focusing resources on these three areas, UC Merced’s staff hiring plan will reflect the importance of our academic mission, the success of our students and support initiatives related to working more efficiently and generating additional revenue. Because the working groups will cross divisional boundaries, the hiring plan represents a collaborative effort to determine hiring priorities most needed to advance the campus’s vision and goals.
For more information, contact Staff Assembly Past President De Acker at dacker@ucmerced.edu or 209-228-2598.
