NC State Communications Groups Announce Reorganization Plans

In case you missed it, a major change has taken place in the communications organization on campus.  A very positive change in my mind.  A change that took the courage and commitment of Dean Johnny Wynne, the understanding and cooperation of a storied communications group at NC State, the determination of a University Chancellor and his senior staff,  and the patience of Joe (I mean Job.)  Actually it all came together remarkable fast (like 108 days I think) and the passion we all feel for NC State University helped make it possible.

Here’s the memo that started it all or at least a facsimile with some changes from the original.  I should note that the outline reflects work done at the University of Florida as part of its Communications Network (http://ufcn.urel.ufl.edu/index.shtml) and strategic communications planning efforts and adapted for NC State use:  http://www.president.ufl.edu/committees/strategiccommunication/

NC State University

Communications Reorganization Proposal

Our brand is North Carolina State University. We are known for our position as the largest university in North Carolina — with a presence in every county — the economic impact we have on the state, the innovation and success of our research, the value of our academic programs, and the passion and loyalty of our alumni.  We are located in the heart of the Research Triangle, one of the most economically robust and educationally rich areas in the country

We strive for excellence and to return value for the support others invest in us. Our work is worthy of investment and has significant impact on the people of our community, state and nation.

In order to enhance our efforts within the area, the state, the nation and around the world, we are proposing a reorganization of communications on campus by integrating the staff and services provided by the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Communications unit (CALS Communication Services) and the NC State University Communications unit into a single group.

Goals:

• Present a unified approach to communications and branding for North Carolina State University in order to enhance the image and awareness of NC State with key audiences and increase its ability to achieve unit and institutional goals

• Reorganize the university’s two major communications units into a single operation in order to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and provide high-quality communications services to everyone across campus

• Focus and refine communications efforts around the College of Agriculture & Life A small group of CALS Communications staff will remain with the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and will provide communications services to the Dean and Extension Services.  That group will be located in the Butler Communications Building.  While the group will report to the dean, it will work closely with the reorganized communications unit.

Why make the change:

• Improve the quality and effectiveness of internal and external communications activities across campus while at the same time, improving the level of services currently enjoyed by CALS and the NC State Cooperative Extension Service
• Place more focus on university-wide strategic planning and creativity, leading to more consistency in messages and a more informed and engaged communications team
• More efficient use of staff, facilities and equipment — There are currently approximately 55 employees in both groups, operating out of three offices on campus providing communications services, art and design services for print and the Web, multi-media, photography and broadcast production services.  The proposed reorganization will centralize all three groups in a single location
• Provide more opportunities for professional growth and development among staff by encouraging movement across groups and units within the new university communications organization
• Place the most qualified individuals in positions of leadership throughout the communications organization to take advantage of the skills and experience of our best and brightest
• More conducive to communication among designers, writers, editors, account executives, and other staff members. This will encourage the sharing of creative and technical skills and ideas and encourage better and more creative work.
• Easier access to a broad range of services for others on campus.  The group will essentially become a one-stop-shop for NC State colleges, centers, and other business units.

Recommended actions:

University Communications will work with CALS Communications to create a Butler Renovation Plan in order to accommodate the University Communications News Services Group.  Our goal is to have the renovations completed this Summer and move the News Services group out of the Joyner Visitor’s Center at that time.

Beginning on March 29, the reorganized group will operate as a single unit reporting to the Chief Communications Officer.

A small group of CALS Communications staff will remain with the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and will provide communications services to the Dean and Extension Services.  That group will be located in the Butler Communications Building.  While the group will report to the dean, it will work closely with the reorganized communications unit.

A Steering Committee comprised of the Chief Communications Officer and each group director will meet on a regular basis to oversee the reorganization effort.

The Chief Communications Officer, Dean of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and the Communications Steering Committee will carefully monitor progress of the reorganization effort and make adjustments as deemed necessary to meet the needs of the College, Cooperative Extension Service and the university in general.

The Steering Committee will provide progress reports to the Chancellor and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences every six months.

Passion Rules!

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