Work Group progress update
February 10, 2026
As part of Resilient Cornell, four cross-functional work groups led by faculty and staff are evaluating how Cornell carries out key administrative functions and recommending new structures and operational improvements to ensure work occurs more consistently and collaboratively and aligns with the university’s core academic mission.
Established by the Provost’s Steering Committee, these work groups have developed initial operating models that describe:
- where it makes sense to share processes, tools, or policies across colleges and units;
- where shared teams could improve service and reduce unnecessary duplication; and
- where some activities may be stopped or could be approached more efficiently.
Work groups will present their models, described below, to the Provost’s Steering Committee in late February. University leaders and the committee will provide input during February and March to further refine the models into more detailed plans that outline staffing needs and realignment options.
Human Resources
The Human Resources work group is examining how HR services are delivered across Cornell and where greater clarity and coordination could help staff and units. Focal points include:
- Strengthening HR’s ability to support university priorities and major initiatives
- Aligning common practices so processes are easier to understand and navigate
- Improving coordination of high-volume HR work to support more reliable and timely service
- Clarifying reporting relationships for HR business partners to support stronger collaboration across units
This work is aimed at making HR services easier to access and more consistent, while still supporting the unique needs of different parts of the university.
Information Technology
The Information Technology work group is examining how IT services are organized and supported across Cornell. Focal points include:
- Addressing differences in services such as cybersecurity, data governance, and classroom technologies
- Creating more opportunities for IT staff to train and collaborate across units
- Improving coordination between local IT teams and the central chief information officer organization
- Better aligning IT work to support research needs and new technologies
Marketing and Communications
The Marketing and Communications work group is examining how communications work happens across the university and where to improve coordination. Focal points include:
- Closer alignment of communications activities happening in colleges and units
- Improving consistency in branding and messaging
- Expanding central capacity to provide specialized or technical communications support
This work is intended to reduce duplication and help faculty and staff more easily access the expertise they need.
Finance and General Administration
The Finance and General Administration work group is reviewing a wide range of administrative functions that support daily operations across Cornell. Focal points include:
- Opportunities to simplify budgeting and administrative processes
- Feedback from staff and stakeholders on existing centralized and shared service models
- Learning from peer institutions, particularly in areas like research administration
The intent is to identify ways to make administrative work more efficient and sustainable while continuing to meet unit needs.