To UMD Campus Community:
My first few months at UMD have been an invigorating time of listening and learning from all of you why UMD is such a special place. I thank you for your support as we unite to create an environment where we can all do our best work.
It is with regret that I announce Vince Magnuson and Greg Fox have asked to retire from their vice chancellor positions. Both have played key roles in my transition to UMD, and I am grateful for their wisdom, vision, and support. I wish them both the best in their future endeavors.
Vince Magnuson has served UMD for more than 40 years, holding the title of Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration since 1995. Prior to his tenure in administration he served as a faculty member and department head in the Department of Chemistry. Vince is widely recognized for his principled leadership and ability to navigate difficult situations with patience and wisdom. His leadership as vice chancellor has yielded many accomplishments that have expanded and diversified the faculty, strengthened the curriculum, improved student learning and enhanced the university. Vince's stewardship of areas such as liberal education reform, civic engagement, semester conversion, international partnerships, and his mentorship of deans and department heads have been critical to UMD's success. He is an invaluable University citizen whose leadership, expertise and sound judgment will be difficult to replace. Vince will be on a transitional leave beginning in the fall of 2011, serving in an advisory role and assisting with special projects.
Greg Fox has served UMD for more than 35 years, and has been the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations since 1988. In 2001, Greg served as Interim Vice President for University Services on the Twin Cities campus. Prior to his vice chancellor role, Greg served as director of Continuing Education, and he has taught in Management Studies and Communication. During the 2008-09 academic year, Greg was director of the UMD Study in England program. Greg has chaired several community boards including the DECC, Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, Goodwill Industries and co-chaired the Duluth United Way annual campaign. Greg's visionary leadership has helped shape UMD into the educational leader that it is today. It will be difficult to replace his expertise, relationships with legislators and civic leaders, compassionate community service and common-sense approach to solving problems. Greg will be on a transitional leave in the fall of 2011, assisting with special projects.
As a result of these retirements, I have decided to make the following changes to the Chancellor's Cabinet, effective July 1, 2011. I believe these changes will help me be most effective as we work with the Strategic Planning Steering Committee and the Campus Climate Leadership and Campus Change Team to envision and to shape UMD's future. In addition, these changes will best position UMD to continue its growth in stature and in significance. Thank you for your attention to this lengthy communication. Please let me know if you have questions or need additional information.
Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs:
A national search will begin immediately for an Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who will serve as the chief academic officer and will represent the Chancellor as needed. This position will keep the current functions of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration and will be expanded to include the Registrar, the Office of Admissions, and the First Year Experience Program. The Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will oversee all of the academic functions of the campus and will coordinate the activities of the other members of the Chancellor's Cabinet.
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations:
The role of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations will remain the same, except it will no longer include the governmental relations functions. John King, Director of Facilities Management, has agreed to serve a one-year appointment as the Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations, starting July 1, 2011. I would like to thank John for once again overseeing the vital functions of this area. A national search for a permanent replacement will begin in fall of 2011.
Vice Chancellor for Student Life:
A national search will begin immediately for a Vice Chancellor for Student Life. This position will keep the current functions of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Support and Student Life, except that the Registrar, the Office of Admissions and the First Year Experience Program will move to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Jackie Millslagle will remain as the Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Support and Student Life until June 30, 2011. I would like to thank Jackie for her excellent and continued service in this critical position. Jackie will return to her former position as Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
In addition to these three replacement positions, I am considering changing the current title and responsibilities of the Vice Chancellor for University Relations to the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and creating a new position: Special Assistant to the Chancellor for External Affairs. This change is prompted, in part, by Greg Fox's retirement, since he has served us well as UMD's legislative liaison.
If this change occurs, the new position of Special Assistant to the Chancellor for External Affairs would be created by restructuring positions currently within University Relations. Bill Wade will continue as the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and will oversee the Office of Development, the Office of Alumni Relations, The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and KUMD-FM Radio. The Special Assistant to the Chancellor for External Affairs will oversee the governmental and community relations duties that Greg Fox has performed admirably for many years. In addition, this new position will oversee media relations, public relations, publications and photography.
Especially during these trying budget times, the financial well-being of a public university depends upon positive and assertive relationships with external constituencies, particularly decision makers in state government, alumni, and donors. In addition, we need to provide increased support and attention to how we tell the UMD story and how we interact with media and the general public. Given the centrality of these and many other external constituencies, I hope to create this new Special Assistant position sometime during the spring semester. Because of the uncertainty of our budget situation, I will wait and make a final decision on the new position until the budget situation for next year is clearer. I will also wait until I experience a significant portion of the legislative session, which begins in January.
Chancellor Lendley C. Black
