MU Extension is realigning its regional administrative structure to focus on high-priority local programs, adjust to uncertain public funding, generate additional revenue, and be programmatically nimble to meet increasing demands for educational programs and services, Michael Ouart, vice provost and director, said in a Sept. 11 news release.
“Changes in the economic development needs of Missouri, population demographics, societal changes and funding constraints call for new models for allocating funds and staffing,” Ouart said.
Rather than budgeting for a specific number of positions, MU Extension regions will be allocated pools of funds to carry out the highest-priority programs for the area. This will be effective Jan. 1, 2013.
“The focus will be on program impact, not the position,” Ouart said. “Decisions about where to invest in positions will be based on citizens’ greatest opportunities and needs and MU Extension’s available resources to fill those needs.”
Regional directors, in collaboration with MU Extension’s program directors and with regional and county extension councils, will determine the mix and location of priority programmatic positions.
The number of extension regions will be reduced from eight to seven.
“The regions will be reorganized, taking in consideration the number of faculty and staff to be supervised, geographic distances for travel and factors specific to each region,” Ouart said.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled Michael Ouart's name.