KINGSTON, R.I. — January 8, 2001 — Thomas R. Dougan, assistant vice president for student affairs at the University of Rhode Island, has been appointed interim vice president for student affairs at URI, effective Jan. 15, 2001. Dougan succeeds John H. McCray, Jr., who assumes the post of vice provost for urban programs at the University’s Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Continuing Education in Providence. “Tom Dougan has been a bulwark of URI’s programs for students for many years,” said URI President Robert L. Carothers. “No one at the University has been a stronger advocate for our students. He’s also a well respected administrator who has built bridges between the university and local communities.” In his new role, Dougan will have executive responsibility for the Division of Student Affairs, with an annual budget in excess of $50 million, including the offices of Housing and Residential Life, Dining Services, Intercollegiate Athletics, Student Life, Memorial Union, Health Services, and the University Bookstore. In his most recent capacity, Dougan was responsible for the offices of Career Services, Multicultural Student Services, the Counseling Center, and the Dean of Students. Dougan will continue to have these responsibilities in his new role. As the University’s emergency response officer and liaison with the University police and with local town officials, Dougan was the driving force behind the establishment of the URI/Narragansett Coalition, which is working to address issues of concern between the town and university, particularly off-campus housing and underage drinking. “Thanks to the hard work of students, staff, neighborhood associations, the town council and other individuals, we’ve begun to make significant progress in improving town-gown relationships,” said Dougan. A resident of West Kingston, Dougan has more than 25 years of experience as a student affairs officer, beginning as director of student activities at Longwood College and Capital University in the 1970s, and later as assistant dean for student services at the University of Florida from 1977 to 1985. He joined URI as director of student life in 1985, and then served as interim executive officer for student affairs before becoming assistant vice president in 1988. At one time he also served as interim director of athletics. He earned his bachelor’s degree in math education from Edinboro State College (Penn.), a master’s degree in college student personnel at Western Illinois University, and his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Florida. A national search will be conducted for a permanent vice president for student affairs, who is expected to be in place at the beginning of the fall semester. For Information: Todd McLeish 874-7892