NIU’s top brass will see “sweeping organizational changes,” according to a university release.

NIU President Doug Baker announced the creation of vice president for International Affairs, a spot that former Provost Raymond Alden will take on. Baker has also divided Finance and Facilities into the Division of Administration and the Division of Finance, moved the Convocation Center and Huskie Stadium administration to Athletics, and he will launch a national search for a chief financial officer, among other changes.

Baker thinks the changes, including the creation of new positions, will not put a strain on university finances, as he said the university will experience “a flat cost change” and International Affairs “has a big opportunity” to generate new revenue.

“I continue to be amazed by the great things we’re doing here, and I think these steps will help realize that to ourselves,” he said.

International Affairs

In his new role as vice president of International Affairs, Alden will “work closely with each dean and vice president to further develop NIU as a truly global university,” according to NIU. Baker said 3 percent of the student population is compromised of international students, which is “too low.” He said bringing in more international students will help with enrollment, which fell 3.3 percent to 21,138 this semester from fall 2012.

“…We really need to have a much greater opportunity to have faculty, staff and students go overseas, or to have students from overseas come here,” Baker said.

Lisa Freeman, former vice president for Research and Graduate Studies, will serve as provost and executive vice president while a national search is conducted for the position.

Convocation Center & Huskie Stadium

Athletics Director Sean Frazier, who has had experience running top collegiate venues at the University of Wisconsin, said Athletics will make the takeover of the Convocation Center and Huskie Stadium a smooth transition.

Frazier said Athletics will use the Convo as a “business enterprise” and will continue to bring in and “beef up” the entertainment students and the local community will want to see. Frazier said one of the main goals is to try and keep a “sustainable revenue stream and help build more campus culture.”

“We are also going to do more integration programs with the students and the local community,” Frazier said. “There are things I’d like to do to entice the students and get them into the business enterprise. You know, take a look at the sports management enterprise… Get some more internships and more student thinking and learning as a part of the normal operation of the Convo.”

Finance & Facilities

Steven Cunningham will continue as vice president of Administration despite the division of Finance and Facilities. The Division of Administration will “oversee human resources, facilities, risk management, compliance and other business operations.” A soon-to-be appointed interim CFO will oversee “accounting, controller, budget and institutional research functions” in the newly minted Division of Finance, according to NIU.

“It’s just too big a job for one person to do,” Baker said. “I think that will lead to significant efficiencies and a better quality of service.”

University Relations

University Relations will also see its share of changes: vice president Kathy Buettner will develop a new structure “that integrates the university’s many division and college marketing, communications and branding activities,” according to the release.

“NIU no longer has the luxury of independently administered departmental communications programs,” Baker said, according to NIU. “We all need to be pulling together in the same direction and ensure that marketing, branding and communications resources reach the areas where the potential for enrollment and impact is greatest.”

The university will also hire a chief information officer “to integrate the university’s numerous and dispersed information technology functions,” a move Baker announced previously, and outreach and engagement functions will be more closely aligned with academic affairs, according to NIU.