Provost Gilbert R. Whitaker Jr. is seeking nominations and statements of candidacy for the position of associate vice president for academic affairs, currently held by Mary Ann P. Swain. Swain will become the provost and vice president for academic affairs at the State University of New York at Binghamton in the fall.
LS&A Dean Edie N. Goldenberg, School of Social Work Dean Paula Allen-Meares, and College of Pharmacy Dean Ara Paul are serving as an advisory committee to assist Whitaker.
In a letter to U-M colleagues, Whitaker noted that the new associate vice president “must be a tenured University of Michigan faculty member possessing a strong sense of faculty perspectives and values, and a broad understanding of our University.”
The provost said he “considers this appointment to be extremely important for sound formation and implementation of academic policy and for the effective and efficient provision of important services to the academic community.”
Whitaker is seeking nominations of colleagues as well as responses from those who wish to be considered for the position. Requests and nominations should reach Whitaker by today (June 7) via letter or e-mail.
“Inclusion of a brief statement regarding qualifications would be appreciated,” Whitaker said, “but is not required at this stage,” adding that he “especially wants to encourage the candidacy of women and members of traditionally underrepresented groups.”
The associate vice president for academic affairs has important administrative and policy responsibilities in faculty personnel matters, including tenure and appointment policy and assisting the schools and colleges in faculty recruitment and retention activities, Whitaker explained.
Academic support units and a number of centers and institutes report to this associate vice president.
The individual also serves as a direct liaison to deans and directors in such matters as initiation of new programs or review of current activities, and plays a variety of roles in U-M academic outreach activities. The associate vice president also provides counsel and assistance to the provost in a broad variety of academic, administrative and budgetary matters.
