Candace Corvey announced yesterday that the selective hiring freeze can end July 1 this year. The freeze has been in place since the Administrative Services Redesign project began more than two years ago. Corvey called the end of the freeze "a consequence of declaring victory on the ASR project." She urged departments to continue to look within the institution for internal promotions, saying she wants it to become "an internalized part of the culture."

Corvey, vice president for finance and administration, reviewed with VPs, deans, directors and BSC managers the status of ASR. Though the cut-off date is June 30, the principles and positive outcomes of ASR will continue, she said, "probably forever." Corvey noted that the 19 business service centers are all established as planned. Beyond the three major goals projected at the start -- save money, maintain or improve services, and avoid layoffs (all of which have been accomplished) --

Corvey listed other major outcomes of the project. For example, in addition to no ASR-related layoffs, there has been "an exciting record of staff advancement," according to Corvey. In all, there were 89 staff promotions, 19 transfers to new areas and 14 career changes. Positions were reclassified and new job specifications were developed.

Among the major outcomes, Corvey said new ways of working together is "not a small factor." The Finance and Administration Council (FAC), a body comprising BSC heads and other central office representatives, has provided an ongoing forum for communication and problem solving, and local teams have had new opportunities to work together effectively. In the BSC units, there is generally higher morale, better teamwork and a heightened sense of community. An email list server, ASR Forum, has provided useful help and information to administrative users.

In addition, ASR has led to redesigned and improved business processes and a renewed commitment to training and information technology. In the area of customer service, a pilot survey from five BSC areas reports 93 percent of faculty and staff say their BSC either meets or exceeds their expectations.

After June 30, work on improving administrative services will continue, and will be the responsibility of deans, directors, BSC heads and central offices.

There will be ongoing training initiatives for staff; information technology liaisons will be identified and trained in each area to assist with computer trouble-shooting; and the FAC will continue to meet to provide campuswide communications on business issues, and assist in design and implementation of new processes and systems.