By Kristian Serge Skov-Larsen
ksl@adm.au.dk
It was more of a first half than the referee’s final whistle.
When the University Board met on 17 June and nodded in agreement with the recommendation presented by the Rector’s Office about four main academic areas in future instead of the present nine, and about a number of overall framework agreements for the future Aarhus University, it also blew the whistle to go ahead with the second part of the change process – a part that will run into both 2011 and 2012.
“The Board has approved a management reform, an organisational reform and a financial reform of Aarhus University. We’ll spend autumn analysing the academic organisation, such as what our departmental structure will look like, so that we can comply with the framework that has now been determined. But the basics are now in place,” says Pro-Rector Søren E. Frandsen.
No facts until February
University Director Jørgen Jørgensen explains that the change process will have an impact on the majority of the employee group, beginning with the heads of departments, and subsequently a considerable number of administrative staff in particular.
“Individuals will naturally ask: what exactly is going to happen with me? Unfortunately, we can’t provide the answer at present. During the autumn, we’ll draw up a number of reports and presentations about how we’re going to organise the staff. This will take until February, by which time we’ll be able to say how the organisation will finally fit into place. Only then, will individual employees get to know whether or not there are any changes to their tasks.”
Four deans to be appointed
“The first step in the process will be finding the deans to lead the four new main academic areas,” says Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen.
“We’ve currently got nine competent deans and, in six months, we’ll only have four. This alone necessitates four job notices. The deadline for application is the end of August, and we plan to appoint the deans by 1 November or as soon as possible thereafter,” he says.
The rector explains that several of the current nine main academic areas have already begun outlining the work carried out by their groups of researchers. This is to help pinpoint opportunities for collaboration cutting across the new main academic areas – and ultimately find the best possible structure for the reduced number of departments, centres and schools in future.
Understands that staff are tired of changes
According to Pro-Rector Søren E. Frandsen, the exact structure for involving members of staff has not fallen into place as yet. However, they are certain to be involved in the ongoing decision-making.
“During the summer, the present nine main academic areas will work out a plan for how to involve staff in their individual areas. We’ll draw up some sort of academic profile of the main academic areas, and especially create greater familiarity with the work undertaken in the different environments.”
Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen says that members of staff should be prepared for several more months of putting energy into work on the development process.
“It’ll be intensive during the period up to the end of the year because we have to continue normal operations at the same time. I fully understand that some members of staff can feel tired of all the changes, but it’s important to try and regard the change process as a great opportunity. Right now, you can help lay the foundations for the university of the future, and whatever we decide will play a significant role in Aarhus University’s development in the next twenty years,” he says.
