June 26, 2009
 
 
MEMORANDUM
 
TO:              System Offices Employees                              Faculty and Staff
                   The Texas A&M University System                  Texas A&M University
 
SUBJECT:     Shared Services Opportunities
 
 
Today I am announcing the teams for our shared services opportunities initiative as directed by the Board of Regents. An initial report will be presented to the board at its September 24-25 meeting.  Chairman Morris E. Foster has said that sharing services is critical “to trim costs in order to keep our flagship university affordable. Rapidly escalating operating budgets and tough economic times have combined to make prompt action necessary if we want to continue to attract the best and the brightest to Texas A&M.”
 
The shared services initiative will lead to reduced costs, economies of scale, increased expertise, and expansion of shared resources.  We will maintain our commitment to the highest quality educational experience at Texas A&M University while working to keep control of costs for students and families paying the bills.
 
The nine teams augment seven existing teams that coordinate administrative programs, such as treasury, information technology and state governmental relations. The initiative will be directed by Dr. Frank Ashley, vice chancellor for academic affairs and a former faculty member and administrator at the university, in conjunction with Greg Anderson, associate vice chancellor and treasurer for The Texas A&M University System. 
 
The new shared services opportunity teams, and their leaders, were selected for specialized knowledge in the reporting areas.  Committee memberships were named in consultation with Interim President Bowen Loftin and Faculty Senate Speaker Robert Bednarz.  There are representatives from Texas A&M, the Faculty Senate, the faculty, system members and the System Offices.  The membership list is attached. 
 
The committees have begun immediate review of existing programs and procedures at the system and university levels to seek best practice models for use throughout the A&M System. Each team is charged with improving quality and efficiency, defining and seeking the input of stakeholders, operating with transparency, enhancing customer service, and maintaining an awareness of all consequences. 
 
 
                        Michael D. McKinney, M.D.   
                        Chancellor