February 25, 2021
Dear Faculty and Staff:
We sincerely appreciate your feedback regarding the evolution
of the OneWSU system. In response to your comments, we are in the
process of establishing a website to serve as a repository for
initiative resources such as background information, guiding
principles, frequently asked questions, and the anticipated
timeline. In the meantime, please review
answers to the most commonly asked questions.
As we move forward in our system’s development, we will do
so in a way that engages all members of the WSU system and
allows for an iterative process. We will continue to monitor
your feedback carefully and will post responses and updates in
the FAQ section. As a representative example, we have recently
received a lot of questions regarding the faculty affairs and
unit structures described in the second white paper. Below please
find an answer to this particular concern, which will also be
posted in the FAQs.
Q: What does it mean that faculty will no longer be
a part of the same department across the system?
A: This was mentioned as a possibility in the second
white paper. We’ve received some strong concerns about this
particular scenario, and, thus, for now we’d like to take that
off the table. We do not wish to undermine collaborative efforts
that are currently working well. At the same time, it will be
critical for campuses to have the ability to introduce unique
programs. The goal of the OneWSU system development is to provide
greater clarity for roles and responsibilities, and greater
autonomy to campus locations in ways that are helpful to the
system as a whole. We look to empower and grow existing
relationships to enhance WSU’s mission, quality, and impact.
Last week, we asked our chancellors, deans, and vice presidents
to participate in an exercise that will help guide the next phase
of the OneWSU system. Each leader will submit responses to the
questions below by early March:
Describe the long-term (3+ years) benefits to your area of
responsibility under a more clearly articulated system model.
What are the most significant opportunities and challenges
with campus-level autonomy over certain activities and functions?
From your perspective, which functions would benefit the most from
greater campus autonomy?
What are the activities and responsibilities that you think
would work best for a central system administration to coordinate
and/or support for your unit? Why?
Any additional challenges or opportunities that you anticipate
as we explore this next phase of OneWSU?
We plan to engage the university community in similar exercises
later this spring and throughout the fall semester, and all of
your engagement and contributions will be critical as we chart the
path forward.
Thank you, again, for your continued commitment to and support
of WSU. We look forward to working with you on this important
initiative and receiving your ongoing feedback.
Sincerely,
Kirk Schulz
President
Elizabeth Chilton
Provost and Executive Vice President
