Chapter 5: Governing and Structuring the University
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A sophisticated communications network evolved to link the university community: email replaced paper, computers enabled online access and the Sakai V-space teaching-learning platform connects students and instructors in ways that were only subject of fantasies in 1989. These developments can be attributed to the appointment of support personnel with highly sophisticated computer and electronic communications skills. A vice-president-level executive director of information technology first took office in 19992000, and he gained the support of a director of computer services. Administrative adjustments also acknowledged service to the larger community, which spawned the university more than five decades ago. In 2003-2004, the university added a vice-president-level executive director of the Center for Business & Economic Development, supported by a director of the Center for Manufacturing Improvement. In following years, Continuing Education was moved to this division, along with the university’s Independent Testing Laboratory, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the Office of Career Services and the later decommissioned Center for Entrepreneurship and Commercialization. Changes in the administration of International Programs reflected their priority at SVSU since its very early days. The institution’s first major planning document in 1966, Design for a College, recognized that “some form of an international program would be appropriate at Saginaw Valley College, and if designed with care and imagination could give quality and distinction to the school.”8 Since 1989, the Office of International Programs has been housed in various units and divisions, from Continuing Education to the Office of the President to Student Services and Enrollment Management. In 2013, the Office of International Programs was moved to the Academic Affairs division. (Appendix E charts the details of these changes, as it does for other modifications to university administration.) The structure for the Division of Administration & Business Affairs remained relatively constant from 1989 to 2013. Changes accommodated the growth and developing complexity of the university and occasionally were a result of adjustments elsewhere in the SVSU organizational table, with the result that the division has been significantly expanded. In 1991-1992, the controller and budget director received a new title, assistant vice president for administrative affairs and controller, along with increased responsibility. The director of the university bookstore became part of this division, too. In 1992, the university outsourced management of the store to Barnes and Noble.
Human Resources
The title of the director varied since Larry Fitzpatrick was personnel director and contract administrator in 1989, when the office had a staff of five. Consistent with a national trend, the Personnel Office became Human Resources and Contract Administration in 1997-1998. In 2001-2002, Human Resources changed to Employment and Compensation Services and Staff Relations (ECS), units reporting to the vice president for administration & business affairs. When Jack VanHoorelbeke became director and contract administrator in 2008-2009, he restored the title to Human Resources to unify the department and become consistent with industry standards. Applicants for employment would expect to correspond with the six-person Human Resources Department rather than ECS, he reasoned.9
Jack VanHoorelbeke
