Category: OE2C

The following resolution was unanimously approved by voice vote at the February 4, 2015 SMU Faculty Senate meeting:

Whereas Article VI of the University bylaws provides that [the Faculty Senate has] “the responsibility to speak by resolution through the President of the University to the Board of Trustees on any issue of general University interest or any issue of specific concern”; and

Whereas the Faculty Senate has previously requested the SMU Administration to devote a substantial and appropriate portion of any savings or additional revenue resulting from OE2C toward (1) recruitment and retention of high-quality faculty, (2) investment in research infrastructure, university libraries, and doctoral programs, (3) increasing the number of laboratory and teaching assistants to improve the quality of undergraduate education, and (4) university-wide fellowships to attract high-quality graduate students (Faculty Senate Resolution on Project SMU: Operational Excellence for the Second Century, April 2, 2014); and

Whereas “[t]hought leaders among the SMU faculty and staff will also be called upon to provide valuable input into how SMU can best achieve its ambitions to attract outstanding faculty and students, and to provide our students with a rigorous and engaging educational experience” (OE2C Vision Statement); now therefore be it;

 Resolved, that the Faculty Senate requests the SMU Administration to report to the Senate at the beginning of each semester on the progress and effectiveness of the project and the designation and allocation of funds generated by savings or additional revenue from the project consistent with these goals.

Related

Read the OE2C Vision Statement 

Dear SMU alumni, parents and friends,

Because recent media stories have reported SMU’s financial review for resource reallocation with a negative interpretation, we want to communicate directly with you on this matter.

Our review process aims to redirect resources to our academic mission. The majority of the reported $35 million saved will be reallocated to academic purposes. At a time when universities across the country are being questioned about the impact of administrative costs on affordability, SMU is taking the lead in examining operations, procedures and positions that can be streamlined. Elimination of some positions will be one result, and SMU is committed to working with any affected employees in a sensitive and caring way, consistent with our long-held SMU community values. A restructuring also could result in some new positions in high-priority areas, and staff can apply for these opportunities.

Every organization should review its costs and operations on a regular basis. SMU is in the lead as a university in undertaking an operational review to be accountable to its constituents, including donors who provide generous support and students who pay tuition. SMU announced such a review process in March and has communicated in various ways with the campus, through the web, interviews and meetings. SMU is enjoying tremendous success with its major gifts campaign for restricted, high-priority purposes such as scholarships, faculty support and facilities. However, we must reduce our operational and administrative costs to direct as many resources as possible to our core, academic mission.

Julie Wiksten, associate vice president for campus services, has been appointed to the new position of associate vice president for operational excellence in the recently established OE2C office, effective immediately. In her new role, Wiksten will ensure that the OE2C project remains on track by overseeing the initiative committees and managing continuous improvement opportunities.

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Download SMU OE2C Diagnostic Report