Administrative Changes Effective July 1

July 9, 2003

Members of the Rutgers Community:

In the past six months, I have been working with many of you to evaluate our administrative structures, streamline the university’s processes, and create a transparent and open administration. The aim is to implement a system with clear lines of responsibility so everyone in the Rutgers community knows who performs which duties and where to go for specific needs. This effort is leading us to a more efficient and effective organization with enhanced communication and better services.

Recently, you received a communication from Karen Kavanagh, Executive Vice President for Administrative Affairs, explaining changes in her area designed to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency. I am convinced that this realignment and consolidation of functions will give us greater flexibility to meet administrative needs quickly and effectively.

Changes Within the President’s Office

We are also making several changes in the administrative structure of the President’s Office. As some of you may know, Mildred Schildkamp, Secretary of the University and Assistant to the President, retired on July 1. Mildred has served the university since 1972 and has been its secretary for the past 12 years. Because of her extraordinary competence and commitment to Rutgers, her job has grown to include a range of activities, including providing staff support to both the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, serving as executive assistant to the president and acting as secretary to the university corporation, empowered to sign official documents and affix the university seal.

To rationalize this job and refocus it on its primary duties to the boards, the secretary’s position is being redefined somewhat. Reporting to the president, the university secretary will work closely with the boards to provide governors and trustees with necessary information, communicate board actions to the university community, maintain university regulations and policies, and serve as secretary to other university bodies as designated by the president.

The secretary will also provide advice to the president on board issues, ensure that board actions are in compliance with legal requirements, resolve problems and issues raised by board members, and serve as liaison between the board and university administrators.

The secretary will continue to manage University Commencement and work with the faculty committee to select and host honorary degree recipients. He or she will chair the Committee on Plaques and Monuments and approve projects submitted to that committee. We are currently conducting a search to fill this position.

Mildred Schildkamp’s other duties will be divided between Carol Koncsol and Debra Norman. I am pleased to announce that Carol is being promoted from Executive Secretary in my office to Executive Assistant to the President. During her 10 years in the President’s Office, she has proved herself invaluable. She knows the university well, and I will be turning to her for help in scheduling, working with various constituents, and making sure the office continues to function smoothly.

Debra, who is Senior Executive Assistant in the Office of Administrative Affairs, will be taking on the role of secretary for the corporation, signing official documents and keeping the university seal. Debra has been at the university for 19 years and since 1999 has provided senior-level support to several vice presidents in Old Queen’s.

Changes Within University Relations

I am also happy to announce that Kim Manning-Lewis, who has been serving as acting Executive Director of University Relations since November 2001, has agreed to assume the position on a permanent basis. Kim has headed several units within University Relations since 1992. Her sound advice and calm approach in the midst of challenging situations have made her a valuable member of my administrative team.

In addition, Campus Information Services, currently a division within student affairs, will become part of University Relations as of July 1. This structure better reflects the community and external service goals of that fine organization.

Later this year, we will begin our search for a vice president who will have overall responsibility for the Department of University Relations, the Office of State Relations, and the Office of Federal Relations.

The purpose of these changes is to better enable members of the central administration to support the university’s core academic missions. Thank you for working with me to make Rutgers a better place in which to work and a better university in service to the state.

Sincerely,

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey