[Microplantpath_faculty] BMP Transition Update

[Christine Morgando]

On behalf of Dean Atkinson -


Dear BMP Faculty --

I am providing an update on our ongoing plans for the BMP (formerly BMPN)
unit.  Plans for a transition of the FAO and FOM roles in the BMP admin
unit are taking shape.  It is clear that we need to bring in a strong team
with a short-term objective to ensure grants are closed, records are
reviewed, and any outstanding discrepancies are remedied.  For a period of
three months, beginning January 1 and extending through March 31, Sherice
Underwood will be appointed as acting FAO.  Sherice comes to BMP from
Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology; Molecular, Cell & Systems
Biology; Natural Reserves (EMN), where she has acted as FAO for several
years.  Sherice will transition from EMN to a role in the CNAS Dean's
Office.  As her first assignment with the Dean's Office, Sherice will head
the BMP administrative leadership team.  Working with Sherice, we have
secured Maria Sedillo from Botany & Plant Science to act as FOM in the BMP
unit from January 1 through March 31.  Maria has many years of experience
as FOM and is deeply familiar with the complexities of fund management.
Both Sherice & Maria will be dedicated to BMP during this three month
period at 100% time, working within BMP but for the CNAS Dean’s Office.

To get a head start in reviewing the unit's records and structure, Sherice
and Maria have agreed to begin work in the unit at 50% time, beginning
December 15.  This will allow Christine and Sarah to transition to their
new positions and will afford the opportunity for Sherice and Maria to meet
with the staff and provide day to day supervision of operations beginning
December 15.  Christine and Sarah will be available for consultation to
Sherice, Maria and BMP staff after December 15 and are very significant
contributors to the transition plan.  It is imperative that communications
and planning between the outgoing and incoming BMP management begin now and
will continue beyond the official January 1 date given the complexity of
the unit and the volume that is managed by BMP.  All have been very clear
in their desire to assist and ensure that the transition and support beyond
the transition date is as smooth as possible.

In addition to the forensic accounting issues that will be addressed by the
new leadership team, Sherice will be focused on unit structure and
workload.  She will be evaluating the needs of the unit and paving the way
for recruitment for both a permanent FAO and FOM.  We will launch
recruitments for these positions as early as February 1st to allow overlap
on or about March 1.  We expect that the BMP faculty will be appointed to
the search committees.  Jennifer Farias will be the committee chair in both
cases to help alleviate the administrative burden and ensure candidates of
the highest caliber are presented as finalists.  Only active participation
from faculty will ensure that we choose a permanent team that will meet the
unit's needs.

These transitions come with shared responsibility.  CNAS is fortunate to
have secured two highly capable and experienced leaders from within the
college to jump-start a new era for the BMP unit.  Teamwork from all staff
and faculty continues to be needed to make both transitions, the one now,
and the permanent one in late winter-early spring, successful.

Finally, our sincerest thanks go to Christine & Sarah.  Their efforts to
keep the unit moving forward in the wake of staff shortages, faculty
growth, new systems, and many more complications have been clear to all.
We are delighted that they will continue to work in and contribute to CNAS
in very meaningful ways.  Their depth of knowledge and work ethic are
evident, and CNAS is fortunate to be able to continue to invest in their
success.   Sincere thanks to Sherice and Maria for accepting this new
challenge.  They are ready to work with both faculty and staff to make the
most of this transition period.  We know BMP is in good hands under their
leadership.



Peter



Peter W. Atkinson, Ph.D.

Dean

College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences

2315 Olmsted Hall (Dean's Office)

2234A Genomics Building (Faculty Office)

University of California

Riverside, CA 92521, USA



Ph: 951-827-3101

e-mail: peter.atkinson at ucr.edu

https://atkinsonlabentm.ucr.edu/



Executive Assistant: Jennifer Markovski

(office) 951-827-4597
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