#  FAS Workforce Planning: Additional Notifications This Week 

 





July 29, 2026

 

 

Dear colleagues,

As we continue the transition to the new administrative model, staff in the following Central FAS functions will learn tomorrow how their roles are positioned within the new model: general administration across FAS Administration and Finance, Faculty Affairs, Communications and Marketing, Finance, Institutional Research, and Academic Culture and Community. **Tomorrow’s notifications apply only to staff within these Central FAS functions. Staff in academic divisions, departments, and centers are not included in this phase of notifications.**

Every staff member in these areas whose role is affected by the transition will have a notification conversation during which some colleagues will learn that their roles are changing, while others will learn the difficult news that their roles are ending. These conversations will touch colleagues whose talents and devotion have helped make the FAS what it is today. Managers, in partnership with members of the HR team, will continue to approach them with deep care and respect. After these notification conversations are complete, leaders of the affected units will communicate directly with their teams.

As we have mentioned in prior communications, staff notifications will take place in waves over the coming weeks. It is important to distinguish these notifications from the implementation of the new administrative model, which will unfold gradually, with some functions transitioning earlier than others. **This means that, while notifications will be complete in August, full implementation across all functions will be later: our target timing for operating fully under the new model is by mid-October.**

Some affected staff may be asked to continue in their current roles during a standard 60-day transition period to help ensure operational continuity through the start of the academic year. Others may be asked to stay engaged for a shorter knowledge transfer period. These decisions will be made by local leadership and will be driven by the work. For faculty and staff, administrative support should continue as usual during this transition. Unless you are told otherwise, please continue to work with your current administrative contacts, who will have access to additional resources and rapid-response support to ensure that your needs continue to be met in a timely way. While many staff are moving into new roles, we are working to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.

We will continue to keep you informed throughout the transition with updates on progress by functional area and clear information about whom to contact with questions. We will also share additional guidance and resources as they become available.

This is hard, and we know this prolonged period of uncertainty and ongoing change has created significant stress and anxiety across our community. We do not take this lightly and are moving forward as quickly and thoughtfully as possible, while also honoring our legal and labor obligations.

Please remember that resources are available to support you now and throughout this transition. Please visit the [FAS HR website](https://hr.fas.harvard.edu/harvard-staff-resources?utm_source=Unknown+List&utm_campaign=d3aa91a83c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_07_29_12_34&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d3aa91a83c-) to learn more about these supports.

Sincerely,

Hopi and Warren

**Hopi Hoekstra**  
*Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences*  
*C. Y. Chan Professor of Arts and Science*  
*Xiaomeng Tong and Yu Chen Professor of Life Sciences*

**Warren Petrofsky**  
*Dean of Administration and Finance*  
*Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences*



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Messages from the Dean ](/news-categories/messages-dean)
- [ Workforce Planning ](/news-categories/workforce-planning)