Massive shakeup at MU’s Division of Student Affairs
The University of Missouri’s Division of Student Affairs will make several changes to its organization in hopes of saving more than $1 million.
The web page explaining the moves shows several director positions and an assistant vice chancellor position will be cut. More than 100 “facilities management” staff will move under the Division of Operations, which is expected to save the Student Affairs $750,000. The cuts and consolidation of administrative positions will also save them $745,000, and include a new dean of students position.
The moves come amid hundreds of layoffs and millions of dollars in cuts to the University of Missouri System’s flagship campus. Dropping enrollment and reduced state funding have both contributed to the hard times at MU.
The Student Affairs post expects 10-15 facilities management positions to be laid off in the switch to Operations, with the possibility of more later. Those employees previously worked “maintenance, custodial and design” jobs for the school’s residence and dining halls, student unions and Mizzou Rec.
School spokesman Chrsitian Basi told ABC 17 News the savings made from the moves would be re-invested in programs MU decides need growth.
“We’re hoping that students who come to Mizzou will come here and have the continued strong experience, and we hope an improved experience with activities outside the classroom,” Basi said.
The new dean of students positions will oversee Residential & Greek Life, Student Conduct and Student Life. The website said such a position is a common across other campuses in managing student activities and well-being.
“Previously these responsibilities were split between several administrators, including the vice chancellor for student affairs, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, director of student life and director of residential life,” reads the post about the situation at MU. “Centralizing student life, Greek life, residential life and recreation programs under an expanded Dean of Students role improves coordination of out-of-classroom programs that contribute to student success.”
Seven administrative positions will be cut in the switch. That includes an assistant vice chancellor, three directors, one senior associate director and two administrative support positions. Basi told ABC 17 News he could not confirm exactly which administrative positions were cut.
“We want to respect the privacy of the individuals who are impacted by this,” Basi said.
Janna Basler, the Student Life leader seen on tape blocking a photographer during the 2015 campus protests, was no longer listed on the division’s staff page. Basler was the Office of Greek Life director at the time, then moved to Associate Dean of Student Life last October. Basler did not respond to an email seeking comment on Thursday night.
Basi said Student Affairs would go through a further review of its management during the fall semester. The school will hire a consulting firm by the end of the month, and send its recommendations to the chancellor at the end of the semester.
