Some Carolina Counts initiatives — aimed at streamlining the University’s expenditures — have been held back by budget cuts and a vice chancellor search.
Ironically, Carolina Counts initiatives aim to save money, but budget cuts are one of the threats to their effectiveness.
The people charged with implementing these programs should not be discouraged by the setbacks experienced over the past year. It is important that the projects keep pushing forward and continue to help the University save money.
According to the Carolina Counts website, it is a program initiated by the Chancellor to carry out the key recommendations prepared in July 2009 by Bain & Company, a consulting firm.
The University received an anonymous donation to have Bain & Company analyze the bureaucracy of the University and find ways to make it more efficient.
Specifically, the analysis attempted to streamline university affairs to avoid layoffs and cuts to academic programs.
One project sought to consolidate research support offices, but was held back because of the lack of space and funding.
However, the program’s recommendations should be followed despite this, as they will save money in the long term.
Another project — the merging of the Office of Research Development and the Office of Information and Communications — was held back because of the prolonged search for a new vice chancellor of research.
