Report to Faculty Senate

John Pierce

Vice Chancellor – Finance and Campus Operations

October 23, 2009

 

I appreciate the opportunity to prepare a progress report to the Faculty Senate.  I think the most concise approach is to discuss my goals and key accomplishments for the past year.

 

1) Assure financial integrity, starting with improving financial reporting:

 

a) Developed State and Trust Fund budget reports for expense and revenue and provided access to budget managers and senior staff to improve transparency.

b) Staff development inside finance, and relationships with the UNC General Administration were strengthened.

 

2) Address Ernst & Young report implementation; review finance functions to maximize effectiveness:

 

a) Helped to close down money losing operations including Leadership Asheville, Convenience Store, and Central Stores

 

3) Evaluate and improve budget process

 

a) Oversaw the budget process for the entire year without an AVC of budget (Pat Catterfeld served as an interim budget director).  Worked with many others to help the university achieve the 7% cuts and also to fund the 1st $480K payment of the Zeis loan through a carryforward that few other schools received in the UNC system last year.

b) Established the 2009-10 budget starting point and developed the detailed support for the budget going forward.

c) Worked with a search committee to select and hire a new budget director who will be at UNC Asheville on October 26th.  Clayton Fogg has Banner experience, is a CPA, and has over 20 years experience at Samford University.  Pat Catterfeld will be returning to her role reporting to Jane Fernandes as the budget person for Academic Affairs.

 

4) Provide leadership on multiple upcoming construction projects:

 

a) Worked with GA, the Foundation and others to fund the purchase of the Rhoades property.  That property was purchased in December, 2009 by the Foundation, and should be transferred to the University in November or December of this year.

b) Developed tracking reports for projects such as the Pisgah House, Health and Wellness, and others.

c) Along with Bill Haggard and John Bucher, am helping to lead the process for a new residence hall. 

d) Working with Campus Operations, Finance and Academic Affairs, analyzed the financial pros and cons of the Craft Campus project.

 

5) Evaluate and enhance the Foundation financial reporting and identify external and internal loan capabilities:

 

a) Have worked with the Foundation on the Health and Wellness loan (now paid off), Rhoades loan (to be paid off in November or December) and the Pisgah House loan.  Worked with GA and OSBM to get a $480K carryforward for the 1st installment on the Zeis Hall internal loan.

b) With recent organizational changes, I will be spending time working with the Development department to achieve our fundraising goals.