The search for a new Honors Tutorial College dean has resumed along with a search to replace the dean of the College of Health and Human Services after last month's suspensions were lifted.
Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl suspended the searches while she held talks with Ohio University deans and directors about the possibility of combining or dividing colleges to cut back on administrative costs. Krendl announced the resumptions at a meeting Friday.
The discussions centered on where the university could eliminate administrative jobs.
Because of its small size and unique academic mission, the HTC is unlikely to be combined with another college, said Ann Fidler, interim associate provost for strategic initiatives. For these reasons, the provost decided to continue the dean search, she said.
Chairwoman of the search committee, Delysa Burnier, said she is happy the search will resume.
It is an important dean position and an important college
Burnier said.
The current interim dean of the HTC, Harold Molineu, plans to step down at the end of this year. Both searches will be internal.
Along with combining or dividing colleges, OU is considering merging or eliminating individual administrative and other non-academic jobs to combat budget reductions.
Restructuring is something we have to do with a great deal of thought Fidler said, adding that she expects the discussions to continue into the next academic year.
Talks with Krendl revolved around the size and structure of the colleges within the university, including the College of Health and Human Services.
It is a large college and some faculty members have expressed an interest in interdisciplinary studies, Fidler said, emphasizing that the university is considering all possibilities.
Because the College of Health and Human Services may be combined with another college, the provost decided to replace retiring Dean Gary Neiman with an interim dean next year rather than a permanent dean, she said.
Director of Environmental Studies Michele Morrone, who attended Friday's announcement, said she was not surprised by the provost's decision.
It seems financially prudent to go with an interim she said.
The college's faculty will nominate an interim dean to be appointed for one year.
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Caitlin Bowling
