As we prepare to return to working on campus again, here are a few facilities updates:

H2A: At present, our space constraints continue to limit our operations. Martijn’s main fundraising priority remains the capital for the “North Addition” (H to A, or H2A) to Mendoza. This planned 30,000-square-foot addition is much needed!

MBAs in Stayer: We have been transitioning more of the MBA program to the Stayer Center. We completed part of the renovation of the third floor Stayer Executive/MBA Lounge before budget restrictions were instituted due to COVID-19, which included installing a beautiful fireplace and new furniture. We plan to finish the project during the 2021 Christmas break. We also will be adding multiple team rooms on Stayer’s lower level and first floor.

Specialized Master’s Programs: Efforts are underway to provide additional space for the growing specialized master’s programs, primarily ensuring more classrooms and team rooms are available in Mendoza. We also will be establishing the former two-story MBA lounge in the building’s southwest wing as a space for specialized master’s students.

Mendoza Atrium: Martijn’s vision for the atrium includes converting it to a gathering place for our graduate students with plenty of new study spaces. As with the Executive/MBA Lounge, COVID-19 limited our ability to move more quickly on long-term changes to the atrium. As a temporary solution, you’ll notice a lot of furniture (repurposed from Stayer) has been added to the space. Eventually, when budget restrictions lift, we plan to install new furniture better suited to this purpose.

This change in function means that beginning with the fall semester, the atrium will be available as an event space only on a limited basis. Instead, we will be using Stayer Commons A & B for orientations, conferences and other events previously held in the atrium. As before, you can use the University’s scheduling.nd.edu site to reserve spaces for events and meetings. Please contact Chris Henderson or Dana Pierce if you need assistance.

Other building changes in the past year include:

I appreciate your patience and positive attitude as we’ve worked through the changes necessary to accommodate the College’s growth and new strategic directions. I am always interested in your feedback. You can email me directly or send comments via Mendoza.Fixit@nd.edu.

In Notre Dame,

Douglas Franson
Director of Finance & Facilities

My message today is in follow up to the provost’s “Return to Campus” letter to discuss our transition back to work at Mendoza. As the provost mentioned, the expectation is that we will be able to offer a student experience that is closer to “normal” this fall. In alignment with the University's expectations and due to the University requirement that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated, we are asking those who have been working from home to begin transitioning back to working on campus with a goal of a full return no later than Monday, Aug. 2.

This is exciting news, as an integral part of the Notre Dame community is to be together in-person. In-person collaboration also is a critical element in our matrix organization for our graduate business programs. 

Another positive step is that those who are fully vaccinated by one of the three vaccines approved in the United States (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson) do not need to wear their masks indoors, including in the classroom, effective June 3. (We will continue to follow physical distancing guidelines in the classroom until the University changes those guidelines.)

I recognize that resuming our normal office routines is going to be a readjustment. During this transition, it’s important that Mendoza is consistent with the University’s guidelines and those of the other colleges. (See “Return to Campus FAQs.”) In the coming weeks, I encourage our staff members to meet with your directors to create a transition plan, whether that includes working in the office two or three days a week until Aug. 2, attending certain meetings in person, or other arrangements that will allow you to gradually get back to working full time in the office.

Finally, our experience with remote work during the past year has brought this issue to the forefront. As you may know, the University has established a committee to consider the future of remote work for staff for the period after the transition back to the office. Informed by our positive experience of remote work during this past year and consistent with the anticipated recommendations of that committee, all of the deans have decided on a joint, one-year pilot to allow more remote work than in the past. In particular, this provisional policy will allow staff in the colleges and schools to work remotely for up to two days per month. Directors should make these arrangements with staff members on a case-by-case basis. We will revisit this policy in a year.

We want to make the transition back to campus as smooth and rewarding as possible, so please discuss your questions and concerns with your supervisors, Kara or me. Your efforts and spirit of service during this past year have been extraordinary. I continue to be very grateful for all that you do and look forward to a wonderful new academic year together.

In Notre Dame,

Martijn

I’m very pleased to announce the launch of Mendoza’s two first-ever doctoral programs in fall 2022 — the Doctor of Philosophy in Management to be awarded by the Department of Management & Organization and the Doctor of Philosophy in Analytics to be awarded by the Department of IT, Analytics, and Operations.

The core mission of the Ph.D. in Management and the Ph.D. in Analytics programs is to prepare doctoral students for careers in academia at the top business schools where publishing research in top academic journals is prioritized, as well as to work in teaching institutions, government and industry. Both programs will also focus on developing future faculty whose academic research aligns with our imperative to Grow the Good in Business, contributing to human flourishing with solidarity for all stakeholders, especially the most vulnerable. They are structured to be small and cohort based, with a strong focus on mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities. Targeted enrollment in each program is two students every year toward their eventual maximum enrollment of 10 students in each program. We will begin recruiting this fall.

Additional details include:

Ph.D. in Management: Jason Colquitt, Franklin D. Schurz Professor of Management, will serve as director. Students will gain foundational knowledge in the field of management, which includes organizational behavior and strategy and entrepreneurship. They will be encouraged to conduct academic research that is impactful, supports human flourishing, and considers the ethical dimensions of their area of study. The curriculum includes courses in the M&O department as well as potential courses in other departments within Mendoza and across campus. For more information, see the link to the program's website.

Ph.D. in Analytics: Ahmed Abbasi, Joe and Jane Giovanini Professor of IT, Analytics, and Operations, will serve as director. The program will develop thought leaders in the analytics space who are engaged in impactful, cutting-edge scholarly research that considers the ethical dimension of data and its usage. Students will gain foundational knowledge in the field of analytics, which integrates theories and methods from statistical, empirical, analytical and technical research in disciplines such as information systems, operations management and beyond. They will take ITAO courses as well as elective courses in other departments within Mendoza and across campus. For more information, see the link to the program's website.

These inaugural Mendoza Ph.D. programs fulfill a vision that goes back more than 50 years. The Notre Dame Bulletin 1967-1969 mentions the intended launch of doctoral programs in business and public administration in 1971. Although they didn’t launch as planned, 30 years later it was still a hot topic, as then-dean Jack Keane emphasized their importance to the College’s future, saying in “O’Hara’s Heirs” (published in 1991), “The best faculty and graduate students are drawn to those campuses where a climate that nurtures research, scholarly publication and professional exploration is cultivated. And that means doctoral-level ambitions — a top-quality doctoral program.” These words still ring true.

These programs not only fulfill this vision, they signal that we are in a new era for the College. The doctoral programs will further elevate our research culture and further advance our reputation as an elite research institution. It is also very exciting that our faculty will be able to help form the next generation of faculty who will have a profound effect on the business environment through their research and teaching future business leaders. 

I am very thankful to the following who have invested incredible amounts of time, attention and thought into creating two doctoral programs that will serve our College and the greater academic and practitioner community for generations to come:

There was much work involved already getting us to this point. Departments needed to make a compelling case that they were ready. The budget had to be worked out. Proposals were written in painstaking details and approved by the College Council before being presented to and approved by the Academic Council.

I also want to thank the many faculty and the many staff who were involved in the undergraduate and graduate diploma ceremonies this past weekend. These were fantastic events, thanks to you! Your hard work made for a very special occasion for our students and their families.

In Notre Dame,

Martijn