THE IUP Football Thread

[PSAC Fan]

Haven't heard a lot recently but know that he has several FCS and PSAC offers. He has visited Cal U. and will be visiting others soon.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

From WCCS:


Five IUP management positions have been eliminated as part of what IUP is calling a streamlining of the university.

According to a letter to the university community sent by IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll on Monday, the University has eliminated the positions of Vice President for enrollment management and chief marketing officer as the divisions of enrollment management and marketing and communications will join the division of student affairs. As a result, Dr. Patricia McCarthy and Christopher Noah will leave their roles with IUP. Vice president for university advancement Khatmeh Osserian-Hanna will leave her role, with her division reporting directly to Driscoll for the near future. The associate vice president for human resources position has also been eliminated, with Dr. Craig Bickley leaving. The fifth management position to be eliminated was the associate vice president for academic administration. Dr. John Kilmarx will leave the university as part of that elimination.

In his letter, Driscoll said that the changes “reflect a comprehensive internal examination and analysis of our organizational structure and how it serves our students,” with a goal of becoming more student-centric, developing a more efficient operation, and creating financial stability for the school. While he called the changes “challenging and painful”, the university must become “less complex and easier to navigate for the students.”

[Ship69]

From WCCS:


Five IUP management positions have been eliminated as part of what IUP is calling a streamlining of the university.

According to a letter to the university community sent by IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll on Monday, the University has eliminated the positions of Vice President for enrollment management and chief marketing officer as the divisions of enrollment management and marketing and communications will join the division of student affairs. As a result, Dr. Patricia McCarthy and Christopher Noah will leave their roles with IUP. Vice president for university advancement Khatmeh Osserian-Hanna will leave her role, with her division reporting directly to Driscoll for the near future. The associate vice president for human resources position has also been eliminated, with Dr. Craig Bickley leaving. The fifth management position to be eliminated was the associate vice president for academic administration. Dr. John Kilmarx will leave the university as part of that elimination.

In his letter, Driscoll said that the changes “reflect a comprehensive internal examination and analysis of our organizational structure and how it serves our students,” with a goal of becoming more student-centric, developing a more efficient operation, and creating financial stability for the school. While he called the changes “challenging and painful”, the university must become “less complex and easier to navigate for the students.”

Yup, budgets are tightening all over PASSHE. They'd like to squeeze a little more money out of Harrisburg to hold the line on tuition again next year.

[iupgroundhog]

From WCCS:


Five IUP management positions have been eliminated as part of what IUP is calling a streamlining of the university.

According to a letter to the university community sent by IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll on Monday, the University has eliminated the positions of Vice President for enrollment management and chief marketing officer as the divisions of enrollment management and marketing and communications will join the division of student affairs. As a result, Dr. Patricia McCarthy and Christopher Noah will leave their roles with IUP. Vice president for university advancement Khatmeh Osserian-Hanna will leave her role, with her division reporting directly to Driscoll for the near future. The associate vice president for human resources position has also been eliminated, with Dr. Craig Bickley leaving. The fifth management position to be eliminated was the associate vice president for academic administration. Dr. John Kilmarx will leave the university as part of that elimination.

In his letter, Driscoll said that the changes “reflect a comprehensive internal examination and analysis of our organizational structure and how it serves our students,” with a goal of becoming more student-centric, developing a more efficient operation, and creating financial stability for the school. While he called the changes “challenging and painful”, the university must become “less complex and easier to navigate for the students.”

I thought those two roles, Enrollment Management and Marketing and Communications, were very positive and important. If they enrolled 50 more students as a result of those positions they would come out ahead. Driscoll should really explain more about the justification for these decisions.

[iupgroundhog]

I thought those two roles, Enrollment Management and Marketing and Communications, were very positive and important. If they enrolled 50 more students as a result of those positions they would come out ahead. Driscoll should really explain more about the justification for these decisions.

I still don't know what "student-centeredness" means. I think it's just a made-up word that is BS.

[Fightingscot82]

I still don't know what "student-centeredness" means. I think it's just a made-up word that is BS.

None of these jobs interact with students. He's going to prioritize jobs that have direct impacts on student experiences. Most schools don't cut executive management, they reduce faculty positions and cut entry level student services jobs. That has a detrimental effect because students build a relationship with the residence hall director or Greek Life advisor. They don't develop a personal relationship with the person whose job is to supervise department directors and compile reports for the president and trustees.

[iupgroundhog]

None of these jobs interact with students. He's going to prioritize jobs that have direct impacts on student experiences. Most schools don't cut executive management, they reduce faculty positions and cut entry level student services jobs. That has a detrimental effect because students build a relationship with the residence hall director or Greek Life advisor. They don't develop a personal relationship with the person whose job is to supervise department directors and compile reports for the president and trustees.

I think it's the wrong path. Enrollment Management and Marketing & Communications have to be priorities for IUP. Maybe those positions are luxuries, nice to have but not necessary. I believe Driscoll's constituents place a high priority on those areas, though, and I think Driscoll has failed in those areas.

It's his job to lead a thriving university. I don't think these moves help.

[Fightingscot82]

I think it's the wrong path. Enrollment Management and Marketing & Communications have to be priorities for IUP. Maybe those positions are luxuries, nice to have but not necessary. I believe Driscoll's constituents place a high priority on those areas, though, and I think Driscoll has failed in those areas.

It's his job to lead a thriving university. I don't think these moves help.

He's just cutting the division executive leader, not the staff who do the work. What I don't hear or see is how he plans to handle the supervision of these divisions. He can't supervise 20 people and all the other duties of president

[iupgroundhog]

He's just cutting the division executive leader, not the staff who do the work. What I don't hear or see is how he plans to handle the supervision of these divisions. He can't supervise 20 people and all the other duties of president

Yeah, but from what I recall, these people had expertise in the specific area. That's why they were hired, to provide expertise and direction. I admit I don't know the entire landscape but I don't think there is anybody as qualified to assume the responsibilities. Maybe they weren't effective, I don't know. I just think having specialists in those areas was a good thing. Plus, these two areas don't seem to be Driscoll's fortes.

[IUPNation]

This. Is IUP.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Yeah, but from what I recall, these people had expertise in the specific area. That's why they were hired, to provide expertise and direction. I admit I don't know the entire landscape but I don't think there is anybody as qualified to assume the responsibilities. Maybe they weren't effective, I don't know. I just think having specialists in those areas was a good thing. Plus, these two areas don't seem to be Driscoll's fortes.

I suppose in fairness one can only question how well they were actually doing their jobs.


Enrollment Management and Marketing & Communications ... two items not exactly thriving over the past 5 years. IUP's enrollment is horrendous and its marketing is basically also horrendous.

[IUPNation]

I suppose in fairness one can only question how well they were actually doing their jobs.


Enrollment Management and Marketing & Communications ... two items not exactly thriving over the past 5 years. IUP's enrollment is horrendous and its marketing is basically also horrendous.

Until they get room and board more affordable...it will continue. It's 50% of the total cost.

[Fightingscot82]

Yeah, but from what I recall, these people had expertise in the specific area. That's why they were hired, to provide expertise and direction. I admit I don't know the entire landscape but I don't think there is anybody as qualified to assume the responsibilities. Maybe they weren't effective, I don't know. I just think having specialists in those areas was a good thing. Plus, these two areas don't seem to be Driscoll's fortes.

Expertise but also top heavy. They weren't doing the actual work - just supervising the people or the directors of the people who were doing the work. I imagine what he'll do is lower the title rank of the leadership positions and hire new people. You get two birds with one stone: new blood at a lower cost. Here's who is remaining:

Enrollment Management: Graduate Admissions (7 people), Admissions Operations (3 people), Financial Aid, Undergraduate Admissions (3 people), Enrollment Engagement & Partnerships (4 people), Strategic Advisor for Student Success.

Marketing & Communications: Brand Management (3 people), Creative (1 person), Design (4 people, Writing (2 people including one regular on here), Digital (3 people), Video (2 people).

University Advancement: Strategic Partnerships (1 person), Alumni & Constituent Engagement (11 people), Development (4 people), Advancement Services & Annual Giving (8 people).

There are still 7 people remaining in HR.

By downgrading the rank/title of the positions, its possible he could reduce his eventual direct reports and also save a few hundred thousand dollars in payroll & benefits. In PASSHE, benefits are usually 125-150% of salary.

[iupgroundhog]

Expertise but also top heavy. They weren't doing the actual work - just supervising the people or the directors of the people who were doing the work. I imagine what he'll do is lower the title rank of the leadership positions and hire new people. You get two birds with one stone: new blood at a lower cost. Here's who is remaining:

You could be right. Who knows the actual dynamics of it all. I think you are confusing the strategic with the operational, though.

Like I said I thought these people were there to create, provide, and implement the directions of the efforts. That is different than "doing the work." Also, like I said, it's possible they weren't effective or maybe the "direction" part is better left to outside consultants.

The bottom line is that it appears to be primarily a cost-cutting measure and those are rarely good.

[Fightingscot82]

You could be right. Who knows the actual dynamics of it all. I think you are confusing the strategic with the operational, though.

Like I said I thought these people were there to create, provide, and implement the directions of the efforts. That is different than "doing the work." Also, like I said, it's possible they weren't effective or maybe the "direction" part is better left to outside consultants.

The bottom line is that it appears to be primarily a cost-cutting measure and those are rarely good.

I get what you're saying. In my experience the division VP supervises mid-level department managers and reports upward to the president & trustees. Yes, some set strategy and tone (my current one excels at this) but often the specific strategy and execution is at the department director level. You can have the best VP but if you have crap directors managing the operational teams, it won't work.