MEMORANDUM

Date: September 19, 2007

To: The University Community

From: Robert L. Carothers

President

Subject:

As most of you know, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs M. Beverly Swan announced last spring her intention to leave her position and return to the faculty, effective December 31, 2007. After accepting with real regret Dr. Swan’s decision, we began a search for her replacement.

On May 9th, we announced the search committee, the names of which are listed below:

Dr. James Prochaska, Psychology, Chair

Dr. John McCray, Vice Provost for Urban Programs

Dr. Kate Moran, Associate Dean, GSO

Dr. Louis Kirschenbaum, Chemistry, AAUP

Dr. Betsy Cooper, Business, AAUP

Dr. Barbara Luebke, Journalism, Faculty Senate

Dr. Argit Bose, Engineering, Faculty Senate

Ms. Linda Barrett, Director of the Budget and Financial Planning

Ms. Mailee Kue, Student Affairs

Ms. Cristen Langworthy, Student, Chair, Student Senate Academic

Affairs Committee

Ms. Jocelyne Dolce. Graduate Student, President, GAU

Dr. William Holland, Alumni

That committee has been meeting since that time, soliciting many nominees and applicants and then reviewing those who chose to apply. The candidates numbered more than 75 and included many distinguished administrators, teachers and scholars from around the nation and beyond. Following a review and screening process, the committee has identified four candidates to be brought to campus for interview:

Dr. Carol M. Brenshan

Professor of History

Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Policies

The University of Toledo

Dr. Donald DeHayes

Dean and Professor

The Rubenstein School

The University of Vermont

Dr. Damian Fernandez

Professor of International Relations and Director, Cuban Research Institute

Interim Vice Provost

Florida International University

Dr. Ian Gatley

Dean and Professor

School of Science

Rochester Institute of Technology

Within the next few days, we will finalize a schedule for the campus visits of these individuals. Each will include time for groups of administrators, faculty, staff and students to meet with the candidates. There will also be open sessions where anyone with an interest will have a chance to attend.

I want to thank Chairman Prochaska and his committee for bringing us to this point in the process. I hope that each of you will meet the candidates and provide both the committee and me with your thoughts.