Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Astrid Merget told faculty members in an e-mail sent Thursday afternoon that the administration is accepting nominations for a “transition task force” to help address issues with the implementation of the University’s massive reorganization plan, which would rename and    restructure nearly every academic college and school on campus. Merget said the team will comprise 10 to 12 members, including faculty, staff and administrators — particularly those from the academic units most affected by the realignment. “Our goal is to ensure as smooth a transition as possible into this new configuration of academic units,” Merget said in the e-mail. Merget unveiled the University’s reorganization plan to faculty members Tuesday, drawing harsh criticism about the formation of the plan. Many complained there wasn’t enough faculty input. “They’re going through this process of communication with the faculty after the fact,” said Michael Russo, LSU Libraries coordinator and Faculty Senate member.Under the plan, the School of Library and Information Science would be absorbed into the newly formed College of Education and Human Professions. “I think [the plan] diminishes the School of Library and Information Science,” Russo said. “It’s kind of a demotion.” Russo said he is worried about a possible decrease in enrollment and faculty recruitment when the plan goes into effect in July. “I don’t think this has been handled in a very good way,” Russo said. “You’re affecting people and how they conduct their work without getting their input.” Merget did not mention changing or altering the realignment plan, which she said will help the University eliminate fragmentation, strengthen collaboration between colleges and help the University complete its Flagship Agenda. “Change can be difficult,” Merget said in the e-mail. “But to forego change is to perpetuate the past as status quo, to reject a dynamic academic culture and to resist the challenges of our future.” Michael Bowman, communication studies professor and Faculty Senate member, said the administration is “throwing the faculty a bone” with the formation of the task force because the decisions for the reorganization plan have already been made. “It’s not that the reorganization plan may not turn out to be a good thing,” Bowman said. “It’s a matter of being blind-sided by this.” Nominations for the task force are due to Merget by April 24. —-Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]