Launched in June 2023, the Sustaining Teaching and Research Task Force, or START, will assess challenges, prioritize strategies and recommend specific actions to bring about substantive improvements to our education, research and service models, thereby enhancing our ability to fulfill our mission at the highest levels of achievement.

The Optimizing Our Facilities Committee will look at options for improving our use of space— including analyzing the actual use of our classrooms, laboratories, and offices—and make recommendations to optimize usage patterns given increased use of remote and hybrid work.

The committee's members are:

• Co-Chairs
• Jared Shaw, Professor, Chemistry
  Kim Turner, Executive Director, Integrated Planning and Design
• Members
• Ralph Aldredge, Executive Associate Dean, College of Engineering
  Jason Bond, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
  Tammy Booker (Staff), Director, Space Management and Project Development
  Michael Brown (Ex-Officio), Past Provost and Executive Vice President, UC Office of the President
  William Garrity, Interim University Librarian
  Lucas Griffith, Executive Director, Campus Planning and Environmental Stewardship
  Brian Hodge, University Registrar
  Kristin Lagattuta, Professor and Chair, Psychology
  Meggan Levitt, Assistant Vice Provost and Associate Chief Information Officer for Academic Applications
  John Marx, Vice Provost, Aggie Square
  Bret McNabb, Director, Large Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine
  Joshua Morejohn, Executive Director, Engineering and Utilities
  Julie Nola, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor and University Architect, Design and Construction Management
  Jen Sang, Executive Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration, College of Biological Sciences
  Laurie San Martin, Professor and Undergraduate Advisor, Music
  Michael Sheehan, Associate Vice Chancellor, Housing, Dining, Recreation and Divisional Operations
  Kathleen Socolofsky, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director, Arboretum and Public Garden
  Anne Todgham, Professor and Chair, Animal Science
  Matt Traxler, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Planning, Undergraduate Education

Working Groups

The Optimizing Our Facilities Committee has formed working groups that will focus on specific topics and address the full range of questions submitted to START. Thus far, the working groups and members are:

• Class Lab
• Members:
  Ralph Aldredge, Executive Associate Dean, College of Engineering
  Lucas Griffith, Executive Director, Campus Planning and Environmental Stewardship
  Bret McNabb, Director, Large Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine
  Anne Todgham, Professor and Chair, Animal Science
  Matt Traxler, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Planning, Undergraduate Education
  Kim Turner, Executive Director, Integrated Planning and Design
• General Assignment Classroom
• Members:
  Ralph Aldredge, Executive Associate Dean, College of Engineering
  Michael Brown (Ex-Officio), Past Provost and Executive Vice President, UC Office of the President
  William Garrity, Interim University Librarian
  Brian Hodge, University Registrar
  Kristin Lagattuta, Professor and Chair, Psychology
  Matt Traxler, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Planning, Undergraduate Education
  Kim Turner, Executive Director, Integrated Planning and Design
• Office
• Members:
  Tammy Booker (Staff), Director, Space Management and Project Development
  Brian Hodge, University Registrar
  John Marx, Vice Provost, Aggie Square
  Joshua Morejohn, Executive Director, Engineering and Utilities
  Jen Sang, Executive Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration, College of Biological Sciences
• Public Service and Engagement
• Members:
  Jason Bond, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
  William Garrity, Interim University Librarian
  Lucas Griffith, Executive Director, Campus Planning and Environmental Stewardship
  Bret McNabb, Director, Large Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine
  Jen Sang, Executive Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration, College of Biological Sciences
  Laurie San Martin, Professor and Undergraduate Advisor, Music
  Michael Sheehan, Associate Vice Chancellor, Housing, Dining, Recreation and Divisional Operations
  Kathleen Socolofsky, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director, Arboretum and Public Garden
• Research Labs
• Members:
  Jason Bond, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
  Michael Brown (Ex-Officio), Past Provost and Executive Vice President, UC Office of the President
  John Marx, Vice Provost, Aggie Square
  Joshua Morejohn, Executive Director, Engineering and Utilities
  Laurie San Martin, Professor and Undergraduate Advisor, Music
  Jared Shaw, Professor, Chemistry
  Anne Todgham, Professor and Chair, Animal Science