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Board approves creation of vice president for university advancement after debate on costs and staffing
Summary
The Board of Regents approved eliminating two director positions and creating a Vice President for University Advancement to centralize fundraising and alumni relations; faculty union raised concerns about net salary increases and staffing loss, while the administration said the position aims to grow revenue and be self-sustaining.
The University of Guam Board of Regents on Dec. 12 approved an amendment to the university’s organizational chart to eliminate two director positions (university events; development, alumni affairs and foundation relations) and establish a Vice President for University Advancement.
Rationale and debate: Committee members said the change responds to accreditation recommendations and is intended to strengthen alumni engagement and philanthropic efforts to diversify revenue. During committee and full-board discussion, Doctor Swamy (who identified faculty/union concerns) warned consolidation could produce a net salary increase and reduce staff, shifting administrative duties onto already-strained faculty. "There's a concern that we're spending more money, but it's not necessarily spending more money at a time when faculty positions are being cut," Doctor Swamy said.
Administration response: President Anita Borja Enriquez and committee members said the role is intended to be revenue-focused with performance benchmarks and that initial staff will be soft-funded, with the office expected to become self-sustaining. The president emphasized past success in securing alumni and external funding and said enhanced advancement capacity is needed to support scholarships and programs.
Vote and implementation: The board approved the organizational-chart amendment by voice vote. The administration said it will proceed with recruitment and performance-based accountability for the new vice-presidential post and coordinate with faculty and the university endowment to offset costs.
What to watch: The administration and board will need to report on staffing levels, salary ranges, and short-term funding sources for the new office so the campus community can evaluate whether the new structure yields the promised fundraising gains without eroding academic support.
