Comprehensive Administrative Review: What comes next?

On Tuesday, Aug. 7, select individuals were invited to participate in the first employee assessment portion of the Comprehensive Administrative Review (CAR), the Opportunity Identification Survey.

As we enter the first assessment phase of the CAR process, it is important for participants to understand what to expect from each of the various data collection methods used to tell our unique Augusta University and AU Health story.

For your convenience, we’ve included a brief description of each of the three major CAR components along with an explanation of who has been and who will be asked to participate.

1. Opportunity Identification Survey

The goal of the Opportunity Identification Survey is to collect information on functions and processes that work well and those that need improvement or otherwise present an opportunity for improved administrative effectiveness, efficiency and best practices.  The survey will solicit responses to identify existing best-in-class operations, areas that could be improved and potential solutions to common challenges at each institution. Responses to the survey will be confidential and will only be presented in summary. Your candid responses are encouraged and appreciated.

Participants will have received an email from USG-CAR@qualtrics-research.com. Be sure to check your inbox, spam folder and junk folder to ensure you haven’t missed the email.

Huron identified employees by job title and function with significant managerial responsibilities in accordance with the University System of Georgia CAR project methodology. They then included a random sample of employees who likely initiate many of the processes and functions being assessed.  Huron asked the institution to provide the names of members of the university’s shared governance groups including the Faculty Senate, Employee Advisory councils and Student Government associations.  In total, we had a little over 1,100 individuals included in this first assessment.

The deadline for completing the Opportunity Identification Survey is Friday, August 17^th.

2. Activity Assessment

The goal of the Activity Assessment is to better understand how each institution is allocating resources to perform administrative functions. Huron Consulting Group’s CAR Project team will administer the Activity Assessment to select staff at each of the member institutions.  Participation is mandatory and staff responses will be shared with each staff member’s supervisor for review and validation as part of this process. Individual responses will not be published as part of the CAR report. Information will only be presented in aggregate.

Huron will identify employees by job title and function in accordance with the University System of Georgia CAR project methodology. This includes employees with administrative responsibilities and those faculty with assigned effort of at least 25 percent in the area of administration.

3. Focus Groups and Interviews

Focus groups and interviews will be held during the month of September with select individuals and groups to more thoroughly explore the results of the Activity Assessment and Opportunity Identification Survey.

Interviews will be held with the leaders of each major administrative function (Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Facilities, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Patient Care Management, etc.). Focus groups will be established based on the results of the Activity Assessment and Opportunity Identification Survey and will include representatives from administrative support staff, Deans Council, department chairs, Faculty Senate, Student Government and more.

For more information about Augusta University’s participation in the CAR initiative, visit the University System of Georgia’s FAQ website, the AU CAR website or email your questions to the CAR team.

Participation in this initiative is vital to the future success of Augusta University and Augusta University Health. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and diligence as this initiative gets underway.

Sincerely,

The AU CAR Communications Team