Spring Break
The search begins for the new chancellor
Committee of students, faculty selected to elect a permanent replacement
Mark Schaaf
Issue date: 5/12/05 Section: Campus News
Geology professor Bob Hooper responded in one word when asked what his feelings were after hearing he was selected as chair of the screen-and-search committee for a new chancellor at UW-Eau Claire.
Scared.
"When you've got so many other things going on in your life, it is a little bit scary," said Hooper, who, among other things, also serves on University Senate and as the geology department chair.
UW System President Kevin Reilly named the new committee Monday, which includes 17 members from a wide range of interests, including Eau Claire Student Senators Avril Flaten and Jeff Baldovin.
And nothing could be more important, or, for that matter, time-consuming, then selecting the next chancellor, Hooper said.
One of the first priorities the committee hopes to take care of is drafting the description of what exactly they are looking for in the next chancellor, Flaten said.
"Knowing (former chancellor Donald Mash) and his ... underlying ideology to be student-oriented, I think it's very important to find someone with similar ideals," she said.
From there, they will begin the process of accepting applications and gradually narrowing the field down to five names, which will then be sent to and decided by Reilly and the Board of Regents, Flaten said.
The process is expected to be quite lengthy. Flaten, who stated they would collect applications for three to four months, said the committee's work would take between eight and 10 months. Others have said it could be more than a year before a new chancellor is named.
The search-and-screen committee was named by Reilly after he received nominations filed by different members of the university.
"I was actually very shocked and honored," said Flaten, who was nominated by Student Senate President Aaron Olson. "The people were all excellent, and I knew whoever was appointed would do a good job.
"It's one of the most important things I could do not only as a student senator, but also as a representative for students."
Hooper said he was very happy with the quality of the committee, and added Mash's presence in the System likely added valuable input to the selection process.
In addition to the two Eau Claire students, the committee consists of 12 Eau Claire faculty members, two community members, including the presidents of Royal Credit Union and Ayres Associates, as well as a UW System representative.
When school resumes in fall, Baldovin said the group hopes to hear the thoughts of the rest of campus and the community in a series of forums.
"There's going to be some stuff where regular students can see what's happening," he said. "We're hoping to do it when we're back in school so that the campus and community can share their views to the committee."
Mash, who began as chancellor in 1998, left in February to take over in the newly created position of executive senior vice president of the UW System, the second-highest position in the entire system.
Since then, Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson has made the transition process smooth, Flaten said.
"I think she has done a wonderful job. I've been very pleased with what I've seen," Flaten said. "She is student-motivated just like Dr. Mash was, and she wants to hear from students."
Beginning with a meeting Tuesday with Reilly, the committee will begin its search to find someone to follow in her footsteps.
"What's more important on campus then selecting the next chancellor?" Baldovin said. "That's the highest position so it's important that we get somebody who trickles down those characteristics that we're looking for."
Members of the Committee
Students:
* Junior Avril Flaten, Student Senator
* Sophomore Jeff Baldovin, Student Senator
Community members:
* Charles Grossklaus, Royal Credit Union president
* Patrick Quinn, Ayres Associates president
* Deborah Durcan, UW System vice president of finance
UW-Eau Claire faculty:
* Kristina Anderson, director of Admissions
* Linda Carpenter, communication disorders professor
* Mickey Crothers, psychology associate professor
* Scott Hartsel, chemistry professor
* Bob Hooper, geology professor
* Irene Lazda, foreign languages associate professor
* Douglas Olson, public health professions assistant professor
* Andrew Phillips, interim associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and dean of graduate studies
* Alan Rieck, music and theater arts assistant professor
* Michael Rindo, university communications director
* Cecilia Wendler, nursing systems associate professor
* Martin Wood, English professor, department chair
Scared.
"When you've got so many other things going on in your life, it is a little bit scary," said Hooper, who, among other things, also serves on University Senate and as the geology department chair.
UW System President Kevin Reilly named the new committee Monday, which includes 17 members from a wide range of interests, including Eau Claire Student Senators Avril Flaten and Jeff Baldovin.
And nothing could be more important, or, for that matter, time-consuming, then selecting the next chancellor, Hooper said.
One of the first priorities the committee hopes to take care of is drafting the description of what exactly they are looking for in the next chancellor, Flaten said.
"Knowing (former chancellor Donald Mash) and his ... underlying ideology to be student-oriented, I think it's very important to find someone with similar ideals," she said.
From there, they will begin the process of accepting applications and gradually narrowing the field down to five names, which will then be sent to and decided by Reilly and the Board of Regents, Flaten said.
The process is expected to be quite lengthy. Flaten, who stated they would collect applications for three to four months, said the committee's work would take between eight and 10 months. Others have said it could be more than a year before a new chancellor is named.
The search-and-screen committee was named by Reilly after he received nominations filed by different members of the university.
"I was actually very shocked and honored," said Flaten, who was nominated by Student Senate President Aaron Olson. "The people were all excellent, and I knew whoever was appointed would do a good job.
"It's one of the most important things I could do not only as a student senator, but also as a representative for students."
Hooper said he was very happy with the quality of the committee, and added Mash's presence in the System likely added valuable input to the selection process.
In addition to the two Eau Claire students, the committee consists of 12 Eau Claire faculty members, two community members, including the presidents of Royal Credit Union and Ayres Associates, as well as a UW System representative.
When school resumes in fall, Baldovin said the group hopes to hear the thoughts of the rest of campus and the community in a series of forums.
"There's going to be some stuff where regular students can see what's happening," he said. "We're hoping to do it when we're back in school so that the campus and community can share their views to the committee."
Mash, who began as chancellor in 1998, left in February to take over in the newly created position of executive senior vice president of the UW System, the second-highest position in the entire system.
Since then, Interim Chancellor Vicki Lord Larson has made the transition process smooth, Flaten said.
"I think she has done a wonderful job. I've been very pleased with what I've seen," Flaten said. "She is student-motivated just like Dr. Mash was, and she wants to hear from students."
Beginning with a meeting Tuesday with Reilly, the committee will begin its search to find someone to follow in her footsteps.
"What's more important on campus then selecting the next chancellor?" Baldovin said. "That's the highest position so it's important that we get somebody who trickles down those characteristics that we're looking for."
Members of the Committee
Students:
* Junior Avril Flaten, Student Senator
* Sophomore Jeff Baldovin, Student Senator
Community members:
* Charles Grossklaus, Royal Credit Union president
* Patrick Quinn, Ayres Associates president
* Deborah Durcan, UW System vice president of finance
UW-Eau Claire faculty:
* Kristina Anderson, director of Admissions
* Linda Carpenter, communication disorders professor
* Mickey Crothers, psychology associate professor
* Scott Hartsel, chemistry professor
* Bob Hooper, geology professor
* Irene Lazda, foreign languages associate professor
* Douglas Olson, public health professions assistant professor
* Andrew Phillips, interim associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and dean of graduate studies
* Alan Rieck, music and theater arts assistant professor
* Michael Rindo, university communications director
* Cecilia Wendler, nursing systems associate professor
* Martin Wood, English professor, department chair
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