“I now get to spend more of my time doing the type of work to make sure that our business model is as efficient as possible so that kids can eat everyday and have a roof over their heads and don’t have to work three jobs,” Jewell said.

A major component of making the university more efficient, Jewell said, has been to change the way UW buys goods and services.

Jewell stressed the need to buy in bulk, and UW now has three major contracts with Office Max, CDWG and Fisher Scientific to supply the university’s computers, research supplies and office supplies.

He estimates those deals will lead to $2.7 million in savings over three years.

UW is also hoping to negotiate contracts with certain airlines and hotels to get cheaper prices for employees that travel, Jewell added.

Jewell said a reorganization of the procurement and accounts payable offices has put “the right people in the right roles.”

Jewell went on that UW would also be happy to work with other state agencies to “leverage the entire buying power of the state.”

Adding more staff to the procurement office, he said, would also lead to more efficiencies.