Dear University of Memphis Team Members:

As you know, significant changes have occurred in higher education. Our funding models are under pressure from a continued reduction of State funds, changing enrollment patterns and, for Tennessee universities, a funding formula that is impacted by completion outcomes. In spite of these challenging times, the University of Memphis enjoys enormous talent and excellent physical facilities, as well as the enthusiastic support and affection of our region.

In recent years, we have absorbed significant reductions (36%) in State funding by undertaking a variety of cost reduction measures. These include process improvement initiatives designed to streamline and improve processes and services to gain efficiencies in our operations.

Opportunities for improvement still exist so the University’s executive leadership is reviewing organizational structure across division boundaries. The current decentralized model that exists in some administrative areas has grown in an ad hoc manner over the last several decades. Many critical responsibilities are held by staff in positions with a wide range of requirements, responsibilities, job duties, capabilities and accountability structures.

As part of this review and analysis, some of you were recently asked to complete a Position Questionnaire. This will help us determine how each position’s functions can best be leveraged to achieve the University’s strategic goals.  If you have not yet responded, please do so right away.  Human Resources will utilize this information to conduct an analysis so we can better understand the crucial functions that you perform each day. We expect this analysis to be completed by the end of October. We will then be able to answer specific questions about individual positions.

While organizational change can be challenging, it also represents an opportunity. We ask for your support and best ideas.  Please continue to provide suggestions for improvement online at http://memphis.edu/processimprovement/.

Thank you for your continued dedication.

M. David Rudd, Provost                  David Zettergren, VP for Business & Finance