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CMS Director Chosen

Phyllis Weddington, Common Management System (CMS) project director, arrived on campus December 1, 2000, to coordinate the CMS implementation on the CSU, Chico campus. Weddington thinks of software as less visible, but essential, infrastructure. "We can watch a new building go up and we can cut the ribbon. Everybody can have cookies in the foyer and marvel at this new facility. That is infrastructure, and software is infrastructure," she said.

CMS, a systemwide shift to PeopleSoft administrative software initiated by the CSU Chancellor's Office, is being implemented in a two-wave process, with some campuses fully implemented and others just beginning the transition. CSU, Chico is part of the second wave, a factor that Weddington sees as beneficial. "Someone else is going to pump out some of the big issues before we get to them, so a lot of that should be resolved," she said.

Ideally, CMS will replace outdated computer systems and make getting and processing information about financial records, human resources, and students quicker and more efficient. Replacing any software system also means making numerous decisions about what information will be transferred to the new system, what information needs to be tracked, and how that information can be best organized for easier access. While the goal may be to provide staff and faculty with tools and accessibility they don't currently have, Weddington knows that in reality, "There's some pain to pay before you reach that level."

Weddington's background in organization development was put to good use over the past 21 years as she worked at Central Washington University in a variety of software implementation and technical support positions. In recalling her most recent position as the project manager for CWU's PeopleSoft implementation, Weddington acknowledged how painful the transitions can be. She worked with faculty who were livid about the resource cost of the implementation. She expects that similar controversy and difficulties will arise at CSU, Chico. She said that because faculty are personally vested in getting the resources and whatever they need to do their job and teach the students, when they see resources going elsewhere, they are understandably concerned.

Weddington said, "You need to figure out where the hotspots are and how to diplomatically negotiate them. It can be done, but there's going to be conflict, there may be flare-ups. This is not easy, and you're not going to have 100 percent agreement on anything. You have to work through it, and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. If you're in there pitching, you just do the best you can. You know the thing with controversy is that if you have none, you don't grow, so I think some is healthy, too much can be destructive. How one comes to that measure is a day-to-day kind of thing."

During the process of CMS implementation, Weddington encourages people with concerns to come talk with her. "I don't harbor secrets. If you want to know, just come and ask me, I'll tell you. If you want to participate, you're welcome to participate." She invites people with complaints to come to her at any time and discuss possible solutions.

Weddington believes that staff are crucial to any successful software implementation: "Staff are the heart and soul" of the institution, and if the software doesn't work for them, it's not worth implementing. She sees her job as providing whatever it is staff needs to move into using the new system, whether training, consultation, or other resources. Knowing that not everyone will be comfortable with change, Weddington foresees that, because the transition to the new system may take years, there will be some people who will continue to work with the old system, possibly until they retire, and there will be others who will learn the new system.

Weddington is learning about the campus, the people, and the university's culture as she begins her job. New to Chico and to California, she appreciates the friendliness she's encountered. "Everyone has been so graciousÉI'd like to thank them for that."