UMass official joins Univ. Life

The Vice Provost for University Life has chosen Larry Moneta, a student life official at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, to serve as the Associate VPUL. Moneta, who currently oversees housing services at UMass, will fill a post which has been vacant for the last 18 months when he begins on March 2. Barbara Cassel, the Executive Assistant to the VPUL, has served as interim Associate VPUL since June 1990, when Patricia Karouma, the only person to hold the post, left the job after six months. The Associate VPUL position is one of the top posts in the VPUL's office. Outside consultants suggested creating the post when they found that directors of too many campus offices reported directly to VPUL Kim Morrisson. The Associate VPUL eases the burden on Morrisson by supervising departments she called "important areas of student contact," including Student Health Services, University Counseling Services, the Judicial Inquiry Office, the Greek system, student activities and facilities, student life programs and drug and alcohol education. In addition, the Associate VPUL position is responsible for "advancing the quality of life for graduate students," said Carol Kontos-Cohen, the director of Human Resource Planning for the Division of University Life. The division hired Moneta after conducting a year-long national search for a candidate. "It's a long process and sometimes it takes longer than you wish," said Morrisson, adding that she thinks Moneta will be "a real asset" to the University. Members of the search committee gave high marks to Moneta, noting in particular his past achievements and his ability to relate to students. "[We were looking for] people who really make a difference," said Kontos-Cohen, who led the search committee. "[Moneta is] a wonderful student advocate and that's what we want." And Undergraduate Assembly member Kirstin Bartok, one of the students who met the candidates during the selection process, said she was encouraged by Moneta's youth and energy. "He was definitely my favorite," the College sophomore said. "I was especially impressed with him. [Moneta seemed] receptive and understanding of student needs." Moneta said last night that he is looking forward to "becoming part of the Penn family," and becoming involved in "anything that touches the lives of students." "It's kind of exciting to have the opportunity to do something with a group of people who are likely to be leaders in the future," he said. Moneta said he was content with his current position at UMass until he "got a call out of the blue" and was ultimately offered the position at the University. "[The offer] seemed so attractive," he said. Moneta held administrative positions at the Universities of Bridgeport, Michigan and Rochester before arriving at UMass Amherst nine years ago.