Dean’s Budget Advisory Committee Created
UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry Dean John N. Williams recently created a budget advisory committee – featuring staff, faculty and student representation – that will provide ongoing recommendations and counsel to him concerning the School’s financial operations and resources.
“The establishment of a School-wide committee will expand the budget conversation and, hopefully, lead to a more inclusive decision-making process to fulfill the School’s academic mission,” he said.
Williams called the group together for its first meeting on Jan. 22. Dr. Eric Everett, chairman of the School’s faculty and advisory committee chairman, will lead the group’s future meetings and discussion.
Committee membership includes the following:
- One faculty member at large: Dr. Steven Offenbacher, director of the Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases and distinguished professor;
- Two department chairs: Drs. Valerie Murrah, chair of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences and General Dentistry, and Ceib Phillips, interim chair of the Department of Orthodontics;
- Two staff members: Toby Lauster, a dental assistant within Clinical Affairs, and Richard Scoltock Jr., manager of patient accounts for the Dental Faculty Practice; and
- One DDS student: David Walker, third-year dental student and president of the Spurgeon Dental Society.
Robert Foy, associate dean for Financial Affairs, and Brad Bodager, assistant dean for advancement, will serve as ex-officio members.
The Dean’s Budget Advisory Committee will work during the next 18 months (through June 2010) and may be renewed based on need.
Williams said any suggestions for the committee’s consideration could be brought to Everett and that both he and Everett welcomed all comments from members of the School community.
“I commend the members of this committee, who are giving their valuable time and expertise to provide such a service to the School – and to me, as I consider significant budget decisions,” Williams said.
“I also appreciate the comments faculty and staff members and students have shared with me regarding ways we can be even more responsible stewards of our resources. I am looking forward to our School’s ongoing dialogue on matters that are so central to our School’s operations and engagement with the citizens of our