These are busy times around the University Secretariat office with three senior administration positions in the midst of being filled or reviewed.
Various committees are in the process of seeking candidates for the provost & vice-president (academics) position currently occupied by Fred Longstaffe and the vice-president (external) role, previously held by Ted Garrard. Helen Connell, Associate Vice-President of Communications and Public Affairs, is filling the position on an interim basis.
The position of vice-president (research & external relations), currently held by Ted Hewitt, is undergoing a review, a process built into many senior academic positions.
In this case, as well as the provost & vice-president (academics) position, the incumbents’ terms end on June 30, 2010.
“In each case, we would certainly like to have a decision as soon as possible, while remaining fully respectful of the need to consult with the community and conduct a thorough search based on what those consultations tell us about the desirable skills and background of the successful candidate,” says University Secretary Irene Birrell.
She adds this is not the first time her office has been so busy preparing to fill senior administration roles. In 2003 and 2004 there was a similar situation with a three vice presidential searches – administration, research and provost & academic were all underway.
Birrell says input from the campus community, whether suggesting potential candidates for these roles or offering thoughts on the duties of these positions, is always welcome. Comments should be sent to Birrell at ibirrell@uwo.ca or c/o University Secretariat, Room 292, Stevenson-Lawson Building.
Links to web pages for each of the three searches can be found at uwo.ca/univsec.