Exec. VP Hale to resign after only 16 months

Ex-Temple VP to serve in interim Executive Vice President Janet Hale, who has held her position for only 16 months, is resigning from the University, effective August 15. She said she is leaving to "pursue another opportunity" in Washington, D.C., but she would not disclose any details about her future employment. "I was proud to be here during this year of transition, to help President Rodin launch her administration and to assist two other Penn presidents," Hale said in a statement. "Now that the University is making great progress towards financial well-being it is time for me to return to Washington." President Judith Rodin said yesterday that she respects Hale's "desire to move on," and that Hale provided a "very significant service" to the University during her short term. "[Hale] was able to?move several projects forward that had been begun by her predecessor," Rodin said. "We're very appreciative of those efforts." Rodin added that a search committee and professional search firm will be named sometime in September to find Hale's successor. Until then, retired Executive Vice President of Temple University Jack Freeman will begin work as acting executive vice president. Freeman, who has 39 years of administrative experience in higher education and government, has said that while he is not willing to be considered for the permanent position, he will remain in the interim post until a permanent replacement is found. Hale leaves with "more than a year" left on her contract with the University, she said, causing some to believe that she may have been forced to leave. But when questioned if she was asked to resign, Hale replied simply, "I resigned." And when she was asked if she was leaving the University on good terms, Hale only said, "I hope so." Still, Rodin said she and Hale are "parting on very good terms." "We both value Penn and Penn's needs and we're both respectful of what we each think it will take for the University to move forward," Rodin said. Meanwhile, Freeman comes from Temple with nothing but high praise. "He's a very intelligent, very thoughtful?terrific guy," said Kathleen Richards, the administrative assistant in Freeman's old office. "He's a real good leader, [and] did a lot for Temple as far as morale." Temple's Associate Vice President for Administration Richard Englert agreed, calling Freeman a "first-rate person." "He's one who is able to integrate the academic and administrative which is a real plus in an academic institution," Englert said. "Penn is very very lucky -- Everyone will be pleased that someone of his caliber will be interim [executive] vice president." Rodin said yesterday that Freeman will play a "leadership role" in the search for a permanent executive vice president, and that the search will be "very careful and very orderly." "We will begin promptly but we will not feel rushed or pressed," she said. "I am deeply committed to finding the most outstanding candidate anywhere to take this position." Prior to her appointment at the University, Hale was the associate director for economics and government in the Office of Management and Budget in Washington. Before that, she worked with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Staff writer Jorie Green contributed to this article.