Neal vacates post of research VP

The University Board of Regents yesterday named Homer Neal vice president for research emeritus, officially recognizing that another executive officer position is vacant.

Neal, who was also named interim president emeritus, will return to the University's physics department to continue his participation in a nuclear reactor project in Geneva, Switzerland.

Interim Vice President for Research Frederick Neidhardt will continue to fill the post until University President Lee Bollinger designates a permanent replacement.

Neal

Official plans for a search have not been formulated.

"Frederick Neidhardt has generously agreed to stay on with this until we can find a permanent person for research," Bollinger said.

Neidhardt said he is ready for his term to end, but added that he will continue to serve until a permanent appointment can be made..

"What bothers me about interim is that it doesn't have an endpoint," Neidhardt said. "I'm serving until the new vice president will take the place.

"There is no way I could walk away now," Neidhardt continued. "For almost four years I've been working with the staff in the (Office of Vice President for Research).

"I have had just a glorious experience in the administration. I came here to work with Homer. And in the last year, I have just continued my enjoyment."

Neal is in Switzerland and could not be reached for comment last night.

The regents officially appointed new Athletic Director Tom Goss and Vice President for Medical Affairs Gilbert Omenn to their positions.

Omenn said he is pleased to take on the responsibilities of this newly formed position. As vice president for medical affairs, Omenn will be responsible for overseeing a $1-billion budget, the Medical School and the University Hospitals.

"I accept the challenge of doing well with your medical school," Omenn said.

Bollinger said Goss will be an asset to the University and the Athletic Department. At a press conference on Sept. 8, Goss pledged to lead the department with integrity and hold all of the program's administrators, coaches and players accountable for their actions.

"It's really Tom's character and values that got the administration to lure him to the University," Bollinger said.

Goss takes the reins of a department that has been through a great deal of turmoil in recent years. The men's basketball team has been investigated for alleged impropriety and NCAA violations during the past year. The football program has also been heavily criticized following four consecutive 8-4 seasons.

"I'm excited to be here," Goss said. "I've got my work cut out for me."

Also during the meeting, Vice President for Development Thomas Kinnear announced that the University's endowment reached $2 billion.

He also said cash-in gifts to the University reached an all-time record during the past fiscal year. The total revenue for cash-in gifts reached $158 million, a $35 million increase over the year before.

"It was driven substantially by individual donors and an improvement in our corporate position," Kinnear said, adding that this year's donations are slightly ahead of last year's rate.

- Daily Staff Reporter Chris Metinko contributed to this report.

09-19-97