Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News

Soll

Andrew Soll, former vice chancellor for business and student services at UW-Eau Claire, and Steven Tallant, former provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs, have accepted new positions at other universities.

Although the university has lost two people "high on the totem pole," Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich said the university will work as a team to move forward.

Both men had very important and major university duties, Levin-Stankevich said. Soll was involved in business, facilities and maintenance, financial aid, human resources and student services. Tallant was in charge of everything concerning academic affairs, international affairs, children's education, the library and deans and advising, Levin-Stankevich said.

Soll left in July to take over as vice president for finance and facilities at Salem State College in Massachusetts. He had been vice chancellor for business and student services since 1999. Soll's wife, Beverly, also left the university. She was largely involved in annual commencement, Levin-Stankevich said.

"This has been a very difficult decision for Bev and me," Soll said in a June University News Bureau press release. "Eau Claire is at a very exciting point in its development ... I hope my work these past nine years ... has positioned the campus to make great strides in the coming years."

Tallant, who had been Eau Claire's permanent provost since 2007, will be Texas A & M University-Kingsville's new president, according to a press release on Kingsville's Web site Tuesday. Tallant will begin as president on Oct. 1.

The search for a permanent replacement for Soll is still ongoing, while a search for Tallant's position is just starting. Levin-Stankevich said he wasn't worried about losing momentum for the strategic plan, but admitted that losing two prominent people at the university can be a distraction and that finding replacements can be very time consuming.

Levin-Stankevich described Tallant as being a risk-taker and having a lot of energy. He said Tallant was very good at starting a project and taking it all the way through until its completion.

"Steven was very, very committed to the teaching goals at this university," Levin-Stankevich said. "He was dedicated and loyal to the people of this institution, and wanted to make improvements in any way possible."

Levin-Stankevich said Soll brought tremendous experience to the university, especially from a financial point of view. Soll was an excellent "steward of our resources," and remained conservative and consistent, Levin-Stankevich said.

"Andy was very innovative in coming up with solutions to financial problems, which is very important for any university," Levin-Stankevich said. "He questioned unnecessary expenditures and avoided unnecessary costs for faculty and students. He made very smart financial decisions for the university."

Soll's duties have been disbursed among numerous university officials. Levin-Stankevich said Dean Tom Dock has become responsible for many duties. Andy Phillips, who was named associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of undergraduate students in May, has come forward as well, taking over the facilities and maintenance area. Levin-Stankevich himself has taken on certain duties, as well as most others on his staff, he said.

"Multiple people have stepped-in without a fuss," Levin-Stankevich said. "It is really a testament to the faculty and people here at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire."

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