The University of Utah will “phase out” the positions of 22 associate directors of academic advising as part of a campus-wide restructuring. Supervisors and Human Resources announced the decision during meetings held Jan. 12 and 13.
The U gave advisors three options: reapply for their positions and compete with coworkers for 11 available roles, remain in their jobs until a June layoff, or resign immediately.
Reallocation
University officials sent a statement to The Daily Utah Chronicle outlining plans for the affected employees. Administrators will move staff who reapply but are not retained into new positions. This would put “more staff in direct contact with students to improve access and support.” The reassignments could include a pay cut because of the loss of senior status.
“The regional advising and career success restructuring integrates academic advising and career coaching into regional teams to bring consistency, clarity and connection across student supports — responding to long-standing feedback that advising and career guidance were too siloed and inconsistent for students,” Chase Hagood, the vice provost for student success, said in an email interview…