CDs & EWG discuss county-based CE structure

Dear Colleagues,

The Executive Working Group and county directors are meeting today (June 8) to discuss potential future directions of UC’s Cooperative Extension partnership with county government. We will be discussing how we operate and new expectations for roles, responsibilities and leadership for all of us.

The challenge from VP Dooley is to stabilize county funding and optimize the funds supporting programs. Inherent in this challenge is the fact that we’ve lost close to 50% of our academics and our county partners are currently reacting to lower revenues with an expectation that revenues will be insufficient to support the existing county governmental structures.

To gather input on how we might achieve these goals, I sent a survey to 767 advisors, specialists and county personnel, including 356 advisors and specialists and 411 other county personnel. My thanks to the 258 people who shared their insights on the conceptual models I described for alternative structures. Your comments have and will continue to be very helpful in our planning.

Outcomes from the meeting will include clarification of possible models to be more fully considering in the next phase of our deliberations. Next steps include forming task groups to refine models. I have already met with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) to let our county partners know that we have heard their requests for change and are in a process that will include them and other stakeholders as we look toward the future. Because some counties continue to enjoy strong support, one size won’t fit all. We expect the structure will evolve. The one thing we know is that the current model isn’t sustainable as a system in this economic climate.

Don Klingborg
Director, Strategic Advocacy & UC-County Partnerships

Furlough program ending, use time by Aug. 31

The 12-month furlough plan for academic and non-represented employees that began on Sept. 1, 2009, will end Aug. 31, 2010. Furlough time is not like vacation time or comp time that can be banked for later use or is paid out upon separation from the university. Furlough time may not be carried over after the systemwide furlough program ends Aug. 31, 2010, so be sure to use your time so that you don't lose it.

The furlough/salary reduction plan for represented employee groups began after September 2009 so they will continue past August, as determined through the collective bargaining process.

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