Mr. Patrick Calhoun, USC Computer Services Mr. Calhoun's presentation focused on the changes that three departments on the
University of South Carolina's Columbia campus had to undergo to achieve a reorganization mandate. It was decided that the three departments (Libraries, Computer Services, and Distance Education) would be consolidated into one with each maintaining its identity. Libraries oversees all of the campus libraries excluding the medical and law libraries; Computer Services oversees all centralized data processing (e.g., payroll, check printing, grades, the Internet connection, telephone system, as well as the libraries' technical services and reference computer systems) and Distance Education, which provides instructional and media support to USC's broadcast classes.
Mr. Calhoun was selected to chair the process of reorganization with committees
representing the three divisions. The process had a time line of ten months, divided into three phases of three months each and one month review.
Each group selected two members to represent them on a steering committee. A
retired former USC administrator and one of the Vice-Provosts were also on the
steering committee. The steering committee went on a retreat to discuss and to develop a strategic plan for implementing the changes in their respective departments.
Their charge was to come up with a workable plan to integrate the three
departments into a new whole. Through a lot of hard work and hard decisions
they were able to define their approach as the integration of two or more different
media along with personal computer information into an interactive environment.
This definition provided all those involved with a goal to achieve and yet maintain their respective identities.
It is important to note that personnel changes were minimal but no large raises were given. However, most of the employees received job security assurances which made the transition much easier to endure.
The session ended with some questions about the reorganization and the use of
the technologies to implement the plan.
Summarized by: Mr. Steve Whitaker