The University of Colorado at Boulder will launch a search immediately for its next vice chancellor for academic affairs, beginning with an internal search as defined by policies of the Board of Regents, according to Chancellor Richard L. Byyny.
Wallace Loh, current vice chancellor for academic affairs, recently announced his resignation, effective Sept. 30, to become director of policy for the governor of the state of Washington.
Byyny said that, after consulting with numerous campus representatives, “I have decided to appoint a search committee that will first evaluate internal prospects. If qualified internal individuals are identified, they will proceed through campus interviews. Based on the committee’s recommendations and constituency input, I then would negotiate an appointment with the leading candidate.”
However, Byyny said, if none of the internal candidates is “ready, willing or able to provide the necessary leadership, I will appoint an interim vice chancellor and proceed with a national search.”
Byyny discussed the vice chancellor search process with numerous faculty, students, staff, departmental chairs, directors, deans, vice chancellors and others in private meetings as well as an open forum. He noted that the majority supported initiating an internal search first.
“It’s clear to me that there is a high level of leadership quality, talent and skill in our campus community,” said Byyny. “It makes sense to look inside our own campus first for potential candidates.”
In meetings with campus groups, Byyny said he discussed the criteria for the job. “These criteria include such attributes as leadership, commitment to ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä-Boulder, demonstrated excellence as a faculty member, integrity, credibility, experience, understanding of budget issues, and commitment to participatory shared governance,” he said.
Byyny said he is anxious to complete the process as soon as possible “in the interests of maintaining stability and continuity within the academic affairs division.” He hopes to name a new vice chancellor by Oct. 1 for approval by the Board of Regents.
Internal applications for the position should be submitted to the ChancellorÂ’s Office, Regent 301, Campus Box 17, by Thursday, Sept. 4. Nominations may be submitted by e-mail to Mary Jo White, executive assistant to the chancellor, at Mary.White@spot.colorado.edu.
Applications should include a letter of interest, a vita and names and addresses of three references.
The vice chancellor for academic affairs is the top academic office for the Boulder campus and reports to the chancellor. All of the campus academic deans report to the vice chancellor for academic affairs.