The University’s approach to supporting Payroll and HR functions has been to integrate campus-based functions into one system. "Office of the President" functions (retirement planning, retirement participant recordkeeping, establishment of Universitywide salary ranges, costing of Universitywide union contracts, etc.) have been supported independently. Input from the ESTF policy group is sought on whether the campus HR functions should be supported by the Universitywide payroll/personnel system or whether payroll and HR functions should be segregated into separate systems.

A series of advantages and disadvantages to separation of these functions is provided for consideration below. It is recognized that this information may not be sufficient for making a decision this issue. For example, further definition of missing HR functions may be required. While applicant tracking, training information and a GUI are often cited as missing features of the existing system, other required HR systems functions at all campuses should be identified before a final direction on this issue is recommended.

ADVANTAGES OF SEPARATION

1. Separation would make it easier for campuses to tailor HR systems to meet local needs
2. Separation could reduce the necessary coordination required when making changes to either payroll or human resource functionality
3. Separation would make it easier to address HR needs which are not currently satisfied (e.g., applicant tracking)

DISADVANTAGES OF SEPARATION

1. Separation could make it more difficult to assure that Payroll and HR/Personnel data is up to date and coordinated. The most popular commercial products have highly integrated solutions, probably to avoid problems of data synchronization.
2. Many of the University’s payroll processes are highly dependent upon personnel data for correct calculation. Separation of payroll and personnel data into separate systems would reduce the integrity of the payroll computation process.
3. To remove personnel functions from the existing Payroll/Personnel system would probably require obtaining an entirely new system because of the integration of the two functions within the system. This would be a very large project, requiring considerable resources and a lengthy implementation period.