A UNC Chapel Hill Political Science professor is helping provide information to make sure there is a smooth transition between President Bush and President-Elect Barack Obama.

Bush and Obama met Monday in an historic meeting at the White House.

Terry Sullivan, who helps run the non-partisan scholarly organization "The White House Transition Project," said there is much to discuss, such as a troubled economy and the first wartime transition in 40 years.

"It's critical to be able to pass that baton in an efficient way and again in a way that generates no mistakes," Sullivan said.

The White House Project is providing information to Obama's team and President Bush's team, something White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said the President is committed to doing.

"Obviously right now the most important thing we can do is ensure a smooth transition to Barack Obama and his team," Perino said Monday. 

Sullivan said understanding the function and past performance of jobs in the White House is crucial to understand.

"One of the things that's really hard to appreciate and is hard to understand for anybody coming into the White House is that there really isn't a single policy issue that occupies any president's day -- there are dozens and dozens of major issues," Sullivan said.

And as tempted as Obama and his staff might be to get involved in the economic situation, Sullivan said there is only one president in this time of transition.

"They [Obama and his staff] have a chance to plan and prepare and get ready for taking on the responsibilities which are monumental, even in normal times," he said.