It seems that many of Ohio University's top administrators are dropping like flies. Four deans have left their positions at the university to pursue other endeavors - including former College of Communication dean and current Provost Kathy Krendl - since President McDavis took over. With all of those highly influential positions remaining unfilled, it is important for the search for new, qualified people to be expedited not only for the university to function smoothly, but also for McDavis to be fully able to roll out his vision for the university.
The positions that have yet to be filled are in the colleges of Fine Arts, Education, Arts and Sciences and Communication. Four of the 10 colleges are without a permanent dean - interim bosses hold the positions - which can only lead to problems within the workings of those colleges until new people have been found. And even then, there will be a grace period for the new deans to prove their performance and compatibility within the overall dynamic of the university. Along with those vacancies, the vice president of finance for the university also is vacant, and University Advancement VP Leonard Raley is on the way out. That is unfortunate considering OU eventually will roll out its strategic plan, Vision Ohio, but seemingly will not have the permanent people in place, at least initially, to implement it.
Also unfortunate is the fact that the VP for Finance job could have been filled - interim VP Larry Corrigan currently holds the spot - because the university whiffed on finding a replacement during the summer.
Although it has been chalked up to coincidence that those positions have been left and remain unfilled, with all of the praise (and performance bonus of $41,250) being awarded to President McDavis, it seems that an institution with such a highly regarded leader would not be undergoing such seismic changes within the administration. Although OU and its president continue to pursue growth and development within the student body, and changes were inevitable when McDavis took over in the middle of 2004, it is important to get the positions filled - and fast - for the long-term health of the university and for the success of its future plans.
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Administrative vacancies troubling
