Alignment of Risk Management Function with Office of Legal Counsel

To:       Executive Vice Presidents, Chancellors, Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Vice Chancellors, Deans, Directors and Heads of Schools, Divisions, Departments and Offices

From:   William E. Sullivan, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Date:    January 4, 2017

Re:       Alignment of Risk Management Function with Office of Legal Counsel

I am writing to inform you that, effective this week, the Risk Management staff’s line of reporting has changed from the Office of the Comptroller to the Office of Legal Counsel.

This move brings Risk Management’s organizational structure more in line with that of its peers and combines two offices with a proven track record of collaboration due to their shared responsibility for managing risks on behalf of the University.  Both Risk Management and the Office of Legal Counsel maintain strong system-wide networks and place a similar emphasis on taking a pragmatic and proactive approach to their activities.  We expect to leverage and build on these strengths as the two groups now add this formal organizational tie to the mission and philosophy they already share.

Among the benefits we anticipate from this linkage are improved efficiencies in our claims resolution process, enhanced support for University units in the identification and management of operational risks, and greater optimization of our risk management fund.

The existing structure of the Risk Management staff will remain intact under the leadership of Mark Kebert, with Mark now reporting to Steve Schultz.

Thanks as always for your cooperation with these two teams as they strive to support you and your organizations in protecting and advancing the interests of the University.