Consistent with University President Lee Bollinger's steps to build his own team of administrators, the University Board of Regents voted yesterday to combine two positions, adapt another and fill a third post.
The regents recognized the new combined position of secretary and vice president for University relations, appointed the vice president for research and approved the new dean of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning.
"I'm very pleased with the people who have been prepared to join the administration," Bollinger said.
| Harrison |
Walter Harrison, vice president for University relations, officially took on a new title - and all of its responsibilities - when the regents added the duties of secretary of the University to the post Harrison has held for the past nine years.
The position of secretary was held by Roberta Palmer until Jan. 1 of this year. For the next six months, Palmer will serve as special adviser to the president, a position created specifically for her.
"Roberta has served admirably (as secretary) and will take care of other things that need to be done," Bollinger said.
The secretary of the University's duties include acting as a liaison between the regents and the rest of the University community, and overseeing uses of the official University seal on documents and diplomas.
"Working with the University relations is, in many ways, a natural fit with working with the regents," Bollinger said. "It's a common base of knowledge and experience."
The position of secretary was created in 1994 by former University President James Duderstadt after the retirement of Richard Kennedy, former University secretary and vice president for government relations.
"We felt the multiple concerns of our external relations with Lansing, Washington and the media tended to overload the position of the secretary," Duderstadt said. "As the state and federal activities became more complex, (Kennedy) felt a bit of an overload."
Although Harrison's responsibilities will increase, he will not receive a raise in pay.
"I'm extremely flattered to have been asked by the president and the regents to fill this roll," said Harrison, adding that Bollinger proposed the position to him about a week ago. "I said I would accept it with a great deal of eagerness to get started."
Interim Vice President for Research Frederick Neidhardt was appointed to serve as vice president for research until December 1998.
"I've been four years in the office and have come to have such a high regard for the people that are in it," Neidhardt said.
Neidhardt said he wants to keep his position for several reasons, including avoiding a rushed appointment for the position and simply for personal enjoyment.
"I have to confess, it is fun," Neidhardt said. "There is a lot of satisfaction in the position."
Provost Nancy Cantor said Neidhardt's willingness to remain in his position for another year will allow a search committee to evaluate candidates and finally recommend an individual to fill Neidhardt's position.
"We are just absolutely delighted, that is, the president and I, to cajole Fred into a few more months of dedicated service," Cantor said.
Within about one month, a search committee to replace Neidhardt will have a "serious" start, Neidhardt said. Final recommendations will be made next fall.
The Board yesterday also solidified the appointment of Prof. Douglas Kelbaugh, formerly of the University of Washington, as the new dean of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Kelbaugh's appointment will take effect July 1. He will replace interim dean Jim Snyder, who has served since last July.
Cantor said the University is excited about Kelbaugh's potential at the University.
"He's very interested in urban design and what we can do in the college around urban design," Cantor said. "He's a very creative architect and leader in the field and will lead the college strongly into the future."
Cantor said a search committee conducted a lengthy international search, which culminated in the recommendation of Kelbaugh.
"They were looking for an outstanding scholar and outstanding leader and I think we've found it," Cantor said.
There are plans for Kelbaugh to make several trips to Ann Arbor during this semester to be involved in the budgetary process, Cantor said.
- Daily Staff Reporter Katie Plona contributed to this report.
01-16-98
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