As previously announced by VP Dooley, two new business operations centers are being established to serve ANR programs. Both business operations centers are being established Jan. 1. Staffing will take place throughout the spring, based on staffing level recommendations by the Administrative Review Council and approval by VP Dooley.

Cherie McDougald, currently Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Central Valley Regional Office of Cooperative Extension, will lead the Business Operations Center – Kearney (BOC-K) while continuing her appointment as CAO of the region through June 30, 2010. This unit will be located at the Kearney REC in Parlier and will serve county-based programs.

Nikki Humphreys, currently CAO for the North Coast & Mountain Regional Office of Cooperative Extension, which closes Dec. 31, will lead the Business Operations Center – Davis (BOC-D). The BOC-D will provide business services to the new Strategic Initiatives, statewide programs, Research and Extension Centers (at the administrative office level), Contracts and Grants, Academic Personnel, and Staff Personnel.

Both business operations centers will work in collaboration with the newly announced Academic Program Support Unit led by Coordinator Joni Rippee.  McDougald and Humphreys will report to Associate Vice President Kay Taber.

Kathy Carrington, CAO for the Central Coast & South Regional Office (CCSR) of Cooperative Extension, will remain CAO of the region through June 30, 2010. From July 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2010, Carrington will be overseeing the final transition of the business operations and contracts and grants from CCSR to the Business Operations Center-Kearney and dispersal of equipment and records from the region while working directly with the Office of the Associate Vice President – Business Operations.

Some of the major functions of the Business Operations Centers include:
Contracts & Grants (budget review, new account notice, cost share/effort reporting)
Payroll (time & leave reporting for academic and staff employees)
Payroll/Personnel System (personnel action entries for academic and staff employees)
Gift acceptance
Purchasing
Accounts Payable
Bank accounts
Direct charges
Travel and entertainment
Financial management
Sales and service (income)
Equipment inventory and procurement (for county-based programs and statewide programs)

Vice President Dan Dooley sent an e-mail to ANR colleagues on Oct. 22 clarifying some points of ANR's restructuring and realignment of resources with the strategic initiatives. He also announced formation of the Executive Working Group, along with more details about the new structure. Read the full text of Dooley’s Oct. 22 announcement at http://ucanr.org/pdfs/10-22-09.pdf.

A page of frequently asked questions about the restructuring has been developed. It is posted on the Web at http://ucanr.org/restructurefaq.

VP Dooley held a town hall conference call on Oct. 6 to discuss the restructuring of ANR to accommodate the Division’s reduced state funding while focusing our limited resources on the strategic vision initiatives. To view a recording of the town hall, go to http://breeze.ucdavis.edu/p11916522/.

Dooley’s Power Point presentation from the town hall can be downloaded at http://ucanr.org/pdfs/DMDTownHall.ppt.

Over the past few weeks, Dooley has announced decisions to restructure the executive office of the Vice President and the Office of Government and External Relations, and to consolidate administration of CE regions, statewide programs and other administrative and business functions. Links to those announcements are below:

Aug. 26 announcement: http://ucanr.org/pdfs/8-26-09.pdf

Sept. 21 announcement: http://ucanr.org/pdfs/9-21-09.pdf

Sept. 25 announcement: http://ucanr.org/pdfs/9-25-09.pdf

Oct. 2 announcement: http://ucanr.org/pdfs/10-2-09.pdf

Talking points about ANR’s restructuring to meet budget reductions and to achieve the ANR Strategic Vision are available at http://ucanr.org/pdfs/restructure09tp.pdf.

The talking points include the ANR Strategic Vision statement, our $9 million budget reduction, and the restructuring of regions and statewide programs. They also list the programs that will be closed, and the five strategic initiatives under which ANR resources and efforts will be aligned.

As the division evolves through the restructuring, we will strive to provide the scientific and technological breakthroughs Californians will need to compete in a global economy; ensure a safe, nutritious food supply; conserve natural resources; and improve health.