The University of Toledo Board of Trustees heard an update on efforts to modernize human resources during an update on the key initiatives identified to increase efficiencies, address operational challenges and embrace innovative ideas to prepare UToledo for a successful future.
The leaders of the team, John Elliott, senior associate vice president and chief human resources officer, and Melissa Hurst, executive director of talent strategy and development, shared plans for upgrading human resources information systems such as those used for onboarding, enhancing executive searches and advancing individual and organization growth with new manager training and leadership development programs.
A specific current focus for human resources leadership is recruiting and retaining talent at UTMC, specifically nurses. In addition, human resources is planning to outsource the family medical leave process as part of its efforts to standardize and automate practices to improve consistency and mitigate risk.
The reinvestment team also provided an update from team leaders Dr. Karen Bjorkman, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Bill McCreary, vice president, chief information officer and chief technology officer.
Focused on key components of UToledo’s academic mission, the investment allocations will primarily support teaching and student success, faculty support and development, and academic research and scholarship. Investment also will fund staff support and development and new initiatives.
In other business, the Board of Trustees approved a collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council, Inc. that represents security officers on Health Science Campus.
The agreement, which was ratified by the union membership in February, runs Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2022 and provides for no salary increase in 2020, a 2% increase effective Jan. 1, 2021 and a 2% increase effective Jan. 1, 2022.
UToledo’s dental training programs also have been elevated to a Department of Dentistry in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. It had previously been a division in the Department of Surgery.
The change approved by trustees provides opportunities for growth in the program that last month celebrated the opening of the William and Pamela Davis Dental Service at ProMedica Toledo Hospital in recognition of Dr. William Davis, emeritus professor and chief of the Division of Dentistry, who donated his private dental practice to the University to preserve and expand UToledo’s dental residency program.
