text: 20 years ago, when faced with the prospect of ever declining North Slope oil production, ARCO Alaska undertook a radical reorganization.  Major reductions were made in many departments, among them the Major Projects organization and Government and Public Affairs.  Layers of middle management disappeared. Total headcount went from about 2500 to about 1700.  Hundreds of jobs were re-graded.  No one took a pay cut.  But salaries were frozen until performance and years of service moved an employee up within their new, lower grade.  All of this was announced and implemented in a matter of a few months.  People weren't happy.  Some left the company because the career advancements achieved so far disappeared.  They found jobs elsewhere.  But most stayed.  And a year later, the new organization was functioning well and people had adjusted to a new reality.  Most were content to still be in Alaska doing jobs they loved.  U of A should consider this approach.