EDITORIAL: Still Searching

people to fill administrative roles has been steadily picking up pace, but there are still several positions that need to be filled. ___________________________________ Several administrative changes have taken place since University President Judith Rodin's term in office started. But the search for these offices -- which have been temporarily replaced with acting offices -- need permanent replacements. And dates which the University announced as deadlines for the search committees have either past, or are closely approaching. One such position is the Vice Provost for University Life. Committee Chairperson Dennis DeTurck announced last week that their search was near its goal. Acting VPUL Valerie Swain-Cade McCoullum is being considered for the permanent position. According to DeTurck, a new VPUL will hopefully -- and almost certainly -- be named before the start of the fall semester. Another eagerly awaited appointee is the new University Police Commissioner. Former Commissioner John Kuprevich announced his resignation from the post in April, and is due to leave the position by the end of this month. At that time, Executive Vice President John Fry said that the search would be nation-wide. Recently, he reported that the committee has narrowed the applicant pool down to between two and four people. Originally, the transition date was 'confidently' set for July 31. However, in a recent interview, Fry said that at the current stage in the selection process, the candidates would next meet different student and faculty groups on campus to obtain feedback from them. The decision will hopefully be made by mid-August. And two positions which recently faced changes, have as of yet, no search committees to seek replacements. University Chaplain Stanley Johnson recently announced his retirement to the University community after 34 years of service. And even though a committee which was set up to determine the role of chaplain at the University determined the necessity of the position, no committee has yet been formed to fill the vacancy left by Johnson's departure. This fact holds true for the position of Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs as well. With the announcement to leave of then, OFSA Director Tricia Phaup, the administration was quick to name Student Life Activities and Facilities Assistant Director Scott Reikofski, temporarily to the position. And according to Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta, no permanent directors have even been considered. The school year will begin in less than two months and campus will soon be bustling with the anticipation of a new semester. This means that the University will need all of its personnel resources. That is where the searches come in. We hope that these administrative positions under transition will not compromise the importance of having good leadership as the academic year starts once again. And we hope that these searches will yield successful leaders in the process.