PERSONAL REQUEST 2009 - 2011
OVERVIEW
The Personal Services Request (PSR) is the mechanism institutions of
higher education and state agencies use to present their requests for
changes in the number and types of titles authorized in their
appropriation acts. Two separate requests are constructed. The request
for classified positions is submitted to the Office of Personnel
Management (OPM), and the request for non-classified positions is
submitted to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). This
process requires our campus to forecast its future needs and to plan up
to 30 months in advance.
Following are the instructions for the PSR as they relate to Classified
titles. As usual, an increase in the number of positions requested is
discouraged. The request process should be viewed as a method to correct
titles by exchanging unused or inappropriate ones for those that more
precisely meet the needs of the campus. Additional positions should be
requested only for those areas with critical needs that must be
addressed.
CLASSIFIED
Although there are other processes available to make changes in
classified positions during the biennium, the personnel request is
generally the best and most efficient means of obtaining the appropriate
number and level of titles. University of Arkansas Human Resources will
evaluate the University's status regarding classified positions, but
will also take into consideration departments' requests. We continue to
struggle with the inadequate numbers and levels of our campus position
authorization. We will again attempt to acquire classified titles at
higher grades when we can justify the request.
If any substantial reorganizations are to take place prior to June 30,
2011, it is imperative that appropriate classified titles be included in
this request. For instance, if one of the current colleges will be
divided into two separate colleges, it is important to request the
appropriate support titles for the new college, such as an
Administrative Assistant, Secretary, Accountant, etc.
Unlike Non-classified titles, classified titles that no longer
adequately describe the responsibilities of a position can be exchanged
for appropriate ones. This is not part of the process in the Personnel
Services request however. That would be considered a reclassification
request and would be handled outside of Personal Services Request
process.
STRATEGY
During our last PSR submittal we were diligent in asking for only those
positions we felt were critical to meeting the needs of the University.
We used a filtering system in which the Chancellor and Vice Chancellors
take an active role in determining the campus' priorities and include
only the most important items in the request. This method reduces the
amount of time and energy departments dedicate to the process. Using
this method has also resulted in a greater total number as well as a
greater proportion of our requests being approved.
In an effort to ensure that this process happens effectively, each
department will need to review all positions allocated to their
departments. A listing of these positions can be obtained through BASIS.
By reviewing the allocations, consideration needs to be given as to the
necessity and/or appropriateness of the positions for future years.
