Senators support new provost
Recently appointed provost, vice chancellor to begin duties July 1
Janie Boschma
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Campus News
Student senators involved with the interviewing process say they're confident Patricia Kleine has what it takes to move UW-Eau Claire forward as the new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
So confident, in fact, that Sen. Aaron Wingad said a few senators had discussed drafting a resolution recommending her appointment to Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich after her visit in February.
Kleine's support - from the students to the overall screening committee to the chancellor - suggests significant hope for tackling together the economic issues the university faces, said Michael Umhoefer, Student Senate's newly elected president. Wingad and Umhoefer were the student representatives on the Provost Search and Screen Committee.
Kleine has an extensive resume in academic administration, most recently serving as Eastern Connecticut State University's dean of education and professional studies. She will assume her new responsibilities at Eau Claire on July 1.
"She was by far the utmost, top-tier No. 1 candidate that everyone universally liked," Umhoefer said. "It wasn't even arguable she was No. 1."
Sen. Aaron Brewster agreed, adding he was impressed by her straightforward attitude, experience in developing outside funding sources, writing strategic plans and her evaluation of Eau Claire's own plan.
"She was actually critical of our centennial plan in a couple of areas and I think she'll be able to cut through a lot of the B.S.," Brewster said.
Though he was not on the screening committee, Brewster sat in on her presentation and also joined her and the committee for lunch.
During her presentation, Kleine said she worries that the university could sacrifice academic quality in the interest of economic stability.
"I'm not going to do that as a dean," she said. "… Thoughtful use of resources is what I'm advocating. Don't let cost compromise what you know in your disciplines."
Academic experiences, including such complementary programs as undergraduate research, service learning and studying abroad, should be top priority, Kleine said.
So confident, in fact, that Sen. Aaron Wingad said a few senators had discussed drafting a resolution recommending her appointment to Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich after her visit in February.
Kleine's support - from the students to the overall screening committee to the chancellor - suggests significant hope for tackling together the economic issues the university faces, said Michael Umhoefer, Student Senate's newly elected president. Wingad and Umhoefer were the student representatives on the Provost Search and Screen Committee.
Kleine has an extensive resume in academic administration, most recently serving as Eastern Connecticut State University's dean of education and professional studies. She will assume her new responsibilities at Eau Claire on July 1.
"She was by far the utmost, top-tier No. 1 candidate that everyone universally liked," Umhoefer said. "It wasn't even arguable she was No. 1."
Sen. Aaron Brewster agreed, adding he was impressed by her straightforward attitude, experience in developing outside funding sources, writing strategic plans and her evaluation of Eau Claire's own plan.
"She was actually critical of our centennial plan in a couple of areas and I think she'll be able to cut through a lot of the B.S.," Brewster said.
Though he was not on the screening committee, Brewster sat in on her presentation and also joined her and the committee for lunch.
During her presentation, Kleine said she worries that the university could sacrifice academic quality in the interest of economic stability.
"I'm not going to do that as a dean," she said. "… Thoughtful use of resources is what I'm advocating. Don't let cost compromise what you know in your disciplines."
Academic experiences, including such complementary programs as undergraduate research, service learning and studying abroad, should be top priority, Kleine said.
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