Risk management services at the University of Colorado at Boulder will be consolidated with those of other CU campuses under the system-wide University Risk Management Department, effective March 14, 2003.
The merger is intended to increase efficiency through shared resources and greater coordination of programs throughout the four-campus university system, according to Paul Tabolt, CU-Boulder vice chancellor for administration. Currently, Boulder campus risk management reports to Ron Ried, assistant to the vice chancellor for administration.
The reorganization will result in the elimination of all Boulder campus risk management positions. Employees occupying these positions will be eligible to apply for positions in the consolidated, system-wide department that will be created to provide services to the four campuses.
The Boulder campus currently employs eight staff members in risk management.
The system-wide office reports to John Honea, assistant vice president for risk management. "Risk management is a critical function for any large organization, particularly public higher education with its complex functions, missions, workforces and constituencies," Honea said. "Within the CU system, there are certain common experiences in risk management that cut across the various campuses. A consolidated organization will enable us to leverage these experiences. It will also provide for improved coordination of claims management and campus-centered loss-control programs."
The campus risk management offices are currently involved in activities such as claims investigation, occupational health and safety, work site evaluations and arranging pre-placement physical examinations. University Risk Management handles claims processing and management of insurance contracts.
When individuals are hired into the new consolidated department, preference will be given to existing risk management employees on the campuses, wherever possible, Honea said.
He said the system risk management office will have a strong physical presence on each campus. Staff with campus-specific risk management experience will be assigned to, and housed at, each campus.
Tabolt said the consolidation and transition is expected to take about three months to complete. During the transition period, campus human resources administrators will work with affected employees to minimize the impacts of layoffs.