Letter from the Chief Financial Officer
Dear Colleagues:
Thanks to the very hard work of a great many people whose efforts were instrumental to the success of this project, PeopleSoft®’s Financial Management module (Phase I) has been implemented in the University of Maine System. This significant transition from the old to the new system occurred as smoothly as hoped.
Groundwork for the training effort preparatory to this go-live was laid a year ago with focus groups for end-users, followed by presentations on “How Business Will Change.” Specific classes in all aspects of financial management in the University System were offered System-wide in spring 2005. Training teams on all campuses put in long hours to ensure that employees were taught the skills and provided with the knowledge they needed on July 5. We have all been faced with the somewhat daunting task of learning new procedures, new ways of thinking about our financial management processes, and a new Chart of Accounts, among other things.
Change of this magnitude is not easy, and I know that the past year has been fraught with anxiety for many of us. As we become more familiar with the new system, our anxieties will subside and we will be able to enjoy the benefits of using these powerful financial management tools.
My sincere appreciation goes to all of you who have worked so diligently to make the new PeopleSoft system a reality. Thank you for joining me in this far-reaching endeavor.
Joanne L. Yestramski
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
University of Maine System
July 5, 2005