A national search is underway for a new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs in lieu of the retirement of Marvin Barker effective July 1.

Advertisements will be placed in major publications the first week in May. This highly visible part of the search will launch efforts to have the new provost and vice president accept the position before the end of the year.

“We are aiming for November 2007 for a new provost/vice president for Academic Affairs to be on board,” says President Bob Bell. “We are giving this search priority.”

Bell has provided a timeline for the search committee. Screenings are scheduled to begin around September 1. Interviews will be scheduled beginning October 1, with an offer being made to the selected candidate by the anticipated date of November 1.

The anticipated start date for the new provost and vice president will be either January 1 or July 1, depending on the chosen candidate’s availability.

Following that, searches for the associate vice president for Academic Affairs, dean of Engineering, dean of Education and dean of Arts and Sciences will begin. The newly appointed provost/vice president will direct these searches. All the interim appointments will be in place until permanent appointments are made.