Department Reorganizations & Name Changes

For employees and students, Kent State University is large enough that it is basically a small town in and of itself, comprised of multiple campuses and divisions and hundreds of departments across the university system.

As a result, it isn’t uncommon for a unit to undertake a name change or reorganization. Because either undertaking is quite complex, this web page will serve as your guide through the process.

What is a reorganization?

Reorganization can include actions such as:

  • Creating new units
  • Renaming a unit with no effect on the unit structure
  • Eliminating units
  • Moving a unit from one college into another college or moving a unit from one division into another division
  • Separating one existing unit into two or more units
  • Combining two or more existing separate units into one unit

Why are reorganizations done?

You may find it necessary to change how your unit operates to:

  • Accommodate changing unit priorities;
  • Initiate new programs;
  • Respond to changing legislation or policy;
  • Enhance/enrich communication;
  • Enhance organizational effectiveness; and/or
  • Address budget reductions.

Get Started

How to decide if a reorganization should be done?
  • Before deciding to change an organization’s structure, leaders must define the issue: What exactly is the organizational challenge at hand?
    • Ideally, there should be a consensus among leadership about challenges and needs.
  • Once leaders understand the challenge, the next step is to determine the best way to address it.
    • A reorganization may be a solution, but more effective and less disruptive options may be available.
    • Streamlining work processes, engaging stakeholders to identify needed changes, or clarifying roles and responsibilities may be better solutions than a formal change to the organization.
  • Reducing costs may be a motivation for reorganizing an organization, but leaders should think carefully about whether and when costs will decrease.
    • It is not always necessary to complete a complex fiscal analysis.
    • Leadership can make educated guesses about how much time will be lost due to a reorganization and factor those losses of productivity into rough calculations of benefits and costs of a potential reorganization.
  • When reorganization is the right solution to an organizational challenge, leadership and managers must be prepared to invest time and resources to make the transition successful.
What are my responsibilities as the department head?

We operate in a complex employment, statutory, regulatory, and procedural environment. It is critical that you involve Human Resources when you are planning changes to your organizational structure. 

What are the responsibilities of human resources and other key departments?
  • HR serves as a general resource and based on your specific needs will guide you through the different steps that need to be taken.
  • HR consults and collaborates with department heads and other designee to develop job descriptions, titles, salary recommendations, posting requirements and communication strategies.
  • HR consults and collaborates and assists with all processes that involve the elimination of a position. 
    • Will advise on how to communicate the changes to existing employees.
  • HR implements changes to processes and systems because of a reorganization.
Reorganization and department name change implementation

Human resources is ready to assist you through this process. 

Once you have determined that a reorganization is going to occur and you understand the scope of it (i.e., renaming a unit with no other changes, creating a new unit, etc.) please contact us to that we can guide you through the process and make sure you understand the steps that you will need to take to make this change a success.

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