The Transition Advisory Team took its first steps toward system reorganization Jan. 8 to make the University more efficient and globally competitive, namely through the merging of the LSU System president and chancellor positions.

“Change is upon us,” said Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins. “In a time of transitional change, if we don’t adapt quickly, we could find ourselves in serious trouble.”

The 10 team members, including Jenkins and a range from presidents and CEOs of companies to lawyers and professors, will form five sub-committees that focus on the most important areas where the University needs improvement, said Consultant Partner Christel Slaughter of SSA Consultants.

The sub-committees will be Academic, Finance and Revenue, Research and Discovery, Student Experience and Technology and Operations. A Legal and Regulatory Advisory Group will also be formed, but it will not have regular meetings like the others.

The process is called LSU2015, but the sub-committees will present their findings and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in July. Although the timeline is fast, Board of Supervisors Chairman Hank Danos is confident in the Transition Advisory Team’s abilities.

The sub-committees will receive input from specialists at each of the University’s campuses, Danos said.

“They will try to find important things to focus on where we can make improvements,” Danos said.

Each sub-committee is expected to have 12 to 15 members, said Associate Vice Chancellor for Communications Herb Vincent.

“Their role is to gather and analyze information from subject matter experts to help shape implementation strategies for the future,” Vincent said.

The team is looking for ways to change and improve University practices, Danos said.

“What’s different from one campus to the next?” Danos asked. “How can we leverage technology? How can we apply technology to online learning?”

The Board wants the LSU System to function more seamlessly, particularly through a unified application process and having a one-credit system, said Board member Blake Chatelain. The one-credit system would make it easier for students who transfer from different University campuses.

“We want to improve in rankings, improve graduation rates, recruit students of a higher caliber,” Danos said. “We want those that invest in research to desire to spend more money at LSU.”

Chatelain said it is an inclusive group effort.

“Collectively, as Board, staff, faculty and students, we work together and say ‘what are the issues,’” Chatelain said. “We’re fighting to make LSU better. That’s what all of us want.”

Currently there are no students or faculty members involved, but Board member Justin Mannino said they will be included on the sub-committees.

“There are a lot of smart people who want to participate, a lot of people who have great ideas,” Danos said. “It’s a vision, 2015. It’s ongoing, but we have to make positive changes quickly.”

Vincent said by 2015 the University should see “differences and improvements in many areas as they gear up for success in the future.”