June 19, 2019
Reorganization enhances administration and finance operations
Dear faculty and staff,
We have learned many lessons recently through several critical initiatives — such as budget modernization, strategic enrollment management, or SEM, new construction and Hale Library fire recovery. One of those lessons is to allow for dedicated attention to the budget, financial management and operations. To accomplish this, we are restructuring the Office of Administration and Finance.
Starting July 1, Cindy Bontrager will serve as vice president and chief operating officer, and Ethan Erickson will serve as chief financial officer and director of budget planning.
The Office of Administration and Finance had become a large and complex operation. This change will help these dedicated leaders focus their talents on critical initiatives at a time when their importance is growing for the university. In addition, we will continue to evolve our university administrative and support services to enhance overall operational effectiveness.
Cindy has served as vice president for administration and finance since 2012. In the restructured position, she will continue to serve as a collaborative executive leader and member of the President's Cabinet. She will lead and coordinate facilities, planning and maintenance, risk and compliance, internal audit, environmental health and safety, parking services and campus public safety.
Ethan is currently the assistant vice president for budget planning. That position's responsibilities have been realigned with his new responsibilities. In the restructured position, Ethan will lead and coordinate the university strategic budget planning and management, financial services, and administrative support services for accounting and human resources. In addition, he will report to the president and serve on the President's Cabinet. Ethan will continue his role of working closely with the provost on the budget modernization and SEM initiatives, reporting on a dotted line to the provost.
You can view the new organizational structure. The full reorganization will be implemented by Oct. 1.
As a university, we will continue to overcome challenges as we strive to define our future. The employees of administration and finance serve our university every day, often times behind the scenes. I am deeply appreciative of their work and all of you who serve our students and communities as we fulfill our land-grant mission.
Sincerely,
Richard B. Myers