Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
In recent years, Old Dominion University has been sharply focused on expanding our reach and enhancing our impact on campus, in the community, and across the Commonwealth. Together, we developed a strategic plan that clearly defines our mission, vision, and core values, while also boldly outlining a host of ambitious goals and detailed strategies. As a committed group of campus partners, we are making significant progress in all areas. And, as a forward-focused institution, we have added a number of interdisciplinary schools and opened a new location in Virginia Beach’s Town Center dedicated to data science with a connection to industry and a focus on research. These are just a few of the shared accomplishments and many advancements that were made possible due to the dedication and determination of our Monarch community, including our talented students, world-class faculty, and dedicated staff, as well as our amazing alumni and strong supporters!
With sustained progress and resounding success across our campus, the most significant undertaking has been the integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) into all facets of our institution. Through robust planning efforts with actively engaged functional teams and close collaboration between both institutions, we are carefully defining and thoughtfully outlining our shared future state. Together, we will boldly step forward in the areas of academics, patient care, and research in order to lead the way to a healthier and more prosperous tomorrow for Hampton Roads and beyond.
Our academic community will benefit from a central and strong nexus of health sciences programming under the Executive Vice President for Health Sciences, which will collaboratively lead our College of Health Sciences; Joint School of Public Health; and School of Nursing, as well as the EVMS School of Health Professions and School of Medicine with a talented team of deans and a diverse community of researchers and scholars. As a combined entity, our institution will be the proud home to the state’s most complex and comprehensive academic health sciences operation. Together, we will offer more degree programs, enroll more students, and annually produce more graduates in health sciences than any other institution in the Commonwealth. This will be our reality on July 1, 2024 and moving forward.
In just 76 calendar days, the complexity, operation, and scope of our institution will forever be changed. Without question, our institution stands on the cusp of a profound transformation. As a result, the organizational structure of our institution has been carefully reviewed and proactively updated to ensure alignment and capacity for the level of functionality and services to be provided now and well into the future.
For example, we have taken intentional and recent steps for greater focus on federal and state compliance. To provide needed campus-wide oversight, the existing University Audit Department will be joined by the University Compliance Department under the overarching Office of University Audit and Compliance. This office will be led by the University’s Chief Audit Executive, who will also serve in the dual role of Associate Vice President for Compliance, thereby matching the personnel and structure of the state’s other Research 1 institutions with a medical school and marking a significant stride forward in excellence, as well as accountability and transparency.
Embracing our shared commitment to excellence at all levels of our organization, the Division of Administration and Finance has long been a strong provider of critical operations, programs, and services to fully support every member of our Monarch community. As the integration with EVMS marks an important milestone, our University will propel forward with an expanded total institutional budget and affiliate financial enterprise of nearly $1.7 billion, thereby representing a substantial increase over our current amount of $1 billion. This union also heralds a new era of collaboration with EVMS legacy employees seamlessly transitioning as direct reports with functional operations housed across the Division of Administration and Finance in key areas, such as Environmental Health and Safety; Facilities and Real Estate; Financial Services; Parking and Transportation; Police and Public Safety; and Procurement Services.
In light of this significant growth in the Division of Administration and Finance, Auxiliary Business Services (ABS), which encompasses ABS Marketing and Financial Literacy; Auxiliary Central; Chartway Arena; Mail Center; Monarch Card and Business Services; Monarch Dining Services; University Village Bookstore; and Webb Center, along with Military Activities, will move to the renamed Division of Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Services (SEES). This move will provide greater levels of synergy across a variety of high-touch and forward-facing student services. The combining of professionals in both SEES and ABS will increase both alignment and collaboration for the benefit of students and the broader campus. Transportation and Parking Services will remain in the Division of Administration and Finance and now fall under Facilities Management and Construction.
In addition, Information Technology Services (ITS) will transition to the renamed Division of Digital Transformation and Technology. This pivotal move aligns our University with leading institutions renowned for pioneering digital landscapes, thereby echoing our commitment to excellence. By uniting the talents of ITS and Digital Learning into a unified division, where technology converges with transformation, our University is poised to unlock unprecedented levels of operational efficiency through technological innovation. This approach of combining two areas to create a singular high-tech focused entity mirrors the structure of several of our Research 1 counterparts, while also maximizing related functions and skilled personnel. In order to expedite our internal preparedness in advance of Day One for the EVMS integration, the aforementioned transitions will become effective on May 1, 2024.
Finally, in reflecting on our research enterprise, there is well-deserved recognition regarding the expansion of our engagement and outreach efforts, which have positively impacted economic development in both the short-term and long-term. As a result, on July 1, 2024, the Office of Research will become the Division of Research and Economic Development. This update will properly recognize the historical and growing role of our faculty and researchers on a regional, national, and global scale, but also underscore our dedication to fostering economic development both now and into the future. And, our Governmental Relations team will step forward to provide leadership and support in the critical area of health policy, thereby highlighting our University's pivotal role in the specialized area of public health through both advocacy and impact.
In preparing for the successful conclusion of another academic year, a fitting celebration of our newest graduates, and a warm welcome to our EVMS colleagues as they officially become Monarchs, we do so at a special time that will define Old Dominion University for current and future generations. We would not be in this unique position or have this distinct opportunity without our storied history, our existing foundation, and our promising future. Our best days are ahead as we ensure positive momentum and limitless opportunities for our campus, our community, and our Commonwealth!
Sincerely,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President