Message from the ASR Initiative Executive Sponsors

Message from ASR Executive Sponsors.

To be the university the world needs is a bold ambition. 

In 2018, the University of Saskatchewan approved a University Plan that was rooted in our mission, vision, and values, and connected to our bright future. By weaving together our commitments, goals, principles, and regions of impact, the plan continues to frame our activities and actions until 2025. In a period marked by significant change, it requires us to be very disciplined about tracking our progress.  

Over the past decade, USask has invested substantially in creating the conditions for collaboration on campus: We have developed dynamic spaces for interdisciplinary interaction. Our research and innovation enterprises are increasingly focused on providing services that accelerate partnerships. Our Shared Services model has been implemented to improve services related to finance, human resources, information technology, and facilities management. However, there is still more work to do to align structures, modernize our institutional practices, and better integrate our supports and services across campus to ensure that academic, administrative, and physical infrastructure enable collaborative opportunities for all students, faculty, and staff. 

Thanks to the investment from the Government of Saskatchewan, we have an opportunity to consider our path forward and strengthen our administrative alignment. Ensuring we are effectively and efficiently providing administrative services across campus is one of the ways we can work toward a more sustainable future. 

As outlined in our University Plan 2025, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to lead with respect: nīkānītān manācihitowinihk. ni manachīhitoonaan. Working in collaboration with deans, executive directors, and senior leaders on campus, the ASR Initiative is co-designing a new way forward for administrative professionals to work—and to work together—at USask. 

Through the ASR Initiative, we can break down silos and align structures to support collaboration. We can reduce the administrative burden on faculty, while uplifting our administrative professionals by providing them with a community of practice and a network of colleagues across the institution. We can also nurture their career development, help build their capacity, and create an environment where they will continue helping USask excel in teaching, learning, research, and community engagement. 

By working together, we can be what the world needs. 

Dr. Airini (PhD) 
Provost and Vice-President Academic, University of Saskatchewan

Greg Fowler 
Vice-President Administration and Chief Operating Officer, University of Saskatchewan

Decision-Making Bodies

President's Executive Council

The President's Executive Council (PEC) includes the provost, vice-presidents, associate vice-president strategic communications and chief communications officer, university secretary and chief governance officer, and the chief financial officer, and is responsible for advising the president on all matters related to USask's academic and administrative functions. Upon advice from PEC members, and considering information provided by various committees and advisory bodies, the president has the ultimate authority and responsibility for administrative decisions and for determining what will be presented to the Board of Governors and University Council.

ASR Executive Committee

The ASR Initiative is governed by two executive sponsors, Dr. Airini, USask provost and vice-president academic, and Greg Fowler, USask vice-president administration and chief operating officer. The executive sponsors and the two project sponsors—Dr. Vince Bruni-Bossio, interim associate provost strategic priorities, and Chantel Laventure, director, shared services—make up the ASR executive team. Combined, they are responsible for making final recommendations regarding the ASR Initiative to PEC for review and approval.   

ASR Steering Committee

The ASR Initiative is guided by a steering committee that includes representation from leaders of major portfolio areas including students and learning, indigenous engagement, research, administration, and university relations. The steering committee provides recommendations to the executive team on areas of opportunity in the efficient delivery of administrative services and a proposed new service delivery model and includes representation from many of the vice-presidential portfolios. 

The ASR Steering Committee members include:

 Click here for a list of past steering committee members.

ASR Committees

ASR Advisory Committee

From December 2021 to August 2023, the ASR advisory committee was consulted to highlight a series of administrative service delivery change approaches and models for consideration. The advisory committee provided advice to the steering committee on issues of change management and included representation from information technology, human resources, the university governance office and university library, and the Edwards School of Business. As the ASR Initiative co-designs with colleges, schools, and units, new advisory committees will be established to guide this work. 

The ASR Advisory Committee included:

  • Dr. Vince Bruni-Bossio (PhD), Interim Associate Provost Strategic Priorities (Co-chair)
  • Chantel Laventure, Director, Shared Services (Co-chair)
  • Marnie Wright, Associate Vice-President, People and Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Chris Gaschler, Interim Chief Information Officer, Information and Communications Technology
  • Wade Epp, Associate Vice-President, Services 
  • Julian Demkiw, University Secretary and Chief Governance Officer
  • Dr. Marjorie Delbaere (PhD), Associate Dean Research, Edwards School of Business
  • Sinead McGartland, Director, Change Management & Special Projects

As the ASR Initiative starts co-designing administrative services prototypes with colleges, schools, and units, new advisory committees will be established to guide this work.

Click here for a list of past advisory committee members.

Administrative Network Project (Society) Advisory Committee

The Administrative Network Project (Society) Advisory Committee is comprised of the deans and executive directors from the College of Education, College of Law, Edwards School of Business, and the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. Together they advise and influence the design, prioritization, and implementation of collaborative improvements to an Administrative Network supporting their four colleges and schools. They also influence and guide recommendations on the administrative services organizational model and restructuring implementation decisions that go forward to the ASR steering committee, ASR executive committee, and ultimately, PEC.

The ASR Administrative Network Project (Society) Advisory Committee members included:

 

Operational Team

ASR Operational Team

The ASR Initiative is focused on people—ensuring USask’s administrative professioanls have the right tools and supports to serve the campus community, and are supported in growing their careers at USask. To enable this work, the ASR Initiative is supported by an operational team of professionals who provide data and design support, and guidance on change management, communications, human resources, project management, and process improvement. Collectively, they are working behind the scenes and with units to ensure we have the right conditions for success.

The ASR Operational team members include:

  • Dr. Vince Bruni-Bossio (PhD), Interim Associate Provost Strategic Priorities (Co-chair) 
  • Chantel Laventure, Director, Shared Services (Co-chair) 
  • Sinead McGartland, Director, Change Management & Special Projects 
  • Andy Barber, Senior Project Manager, ASR Administrative Networks Project 
  • Melanie Nahachewsky, Senior HR SBA and Project Manager, ASR Communications and Marketing Project 
  • Erica Schindel, ASR Communications Specialist, University Relations 
  • Simone Knapp, Business Analyst 
  • Sara Fox, Senior Business Architect 
  • Wanda Sobush, Continuous Improvement Consultant 

Click here for a list of past Operational Team members. 

Related Information