Shared Services in Higher Education (Overview)

UC Berkeley’s mission of research, teaching, and public service deserves the best administrative and operational support that we can provide. Simplifying the organization, modernizing our tools, and focusing on accountability will provide faculty, students, and staff with a working environment that is both more efficient and more effective, and which promotes the growth and professional development of our staff.

As part of this effort, UC Berkeley is looking at a shared services model for human resources (HR), information services (IT), and finance activities.

UC Berkeley is not alone in this effort. In July 2010 senior public service executives from over 50 organizations, including representatives from federal and state governments, the military, and universities (Harvard, Yale, MIT, NYU, Colorado University, UC Boulder, Georgia Tech, University of Michigan) participated in a summit at Harvard University entitled 2010 Shared Services in the Public Sector Summit, part of its Leadership in a Networked World program.

All of the participants were engaged in some way in designing, developing, or running a shared services center, and the summit provided an opportunity for discussion on the similar issues facing each organization. This overview section will highlight some of the insights, challenges, and lessons learned.