Ohio University’s provost’s office has extended two interim administrators’ contracts for an additional year.
James Fonseca, current interim executive dean of regional higher education, and Richard Greenlee, dean of OU’s Eastern campus and interim dean of OU’s Zanesville campus, will have their contracts extended until 2013.
Pam Benoit, executive vice president and provost, said in an email to regional campus faculty that both interim deans are doing an excellent job.
“The Provost felt both Dr. Fonseca and Dr. Greenlee did a good job displaying stability and leadership,” said Ann Fidler, Benoit’s chief of staff.
Fonseca, the former OU-Zanesville dean, replaced Dan Evans, who retired as the executive dean of regional higher education last July, while Greenlee took on the job of a dual dean for the Zanesville and Eastern.
As executive dean, Fonseca acts as a coordinating dean for OU’s five regional campuses.
“It’s a busy time because the regional campuses are also converting to semesters, and we are dealing with faculty on revising workload policy,” Fonseca said.
Fonseca said he is working on the conversion to semesters and making sure all students receive adequate advising as they prepare for the switch.
“We want to make sure all students get their classwork done on time despite the conversion and (that we) offer the classes they need,” Fonseca said.
Although Greenlee is currently dean of both the Zanesville and Eastern campuses, Fidler said it is not an impossible task.
“The campuses are close together and already share administrative services,” she said. “It’s been working great.”
Because Greenlee, who planned to take an early retirement plan in July 2012, will not leave OU until July 2013, a search for his replacement will be delayed one year, Fidler said.
He said he has been enjoying his time as a dual dean.
"I also have enjoyed the opportunity to explore collaborations between the two campuses that will enhance their abilities to provide even better educational opportunities for our students,” Greenlee said in a university news release. “I look forward to continuing this important work in the coming year.”
Greenlee could not be reached for additional comment.
Fonseca plans to continue the growth at the regional campuses, bring in more bachelor’s degrees, complete students’ quarters-to-semesters advising and finalize faculty workload policies.
“There is a lot to be done,” he said. “I’m a strong believer of the role of the regional campuses and providing education and opportunities to students that can’t go to the main campus for whatever reason.”
Both Greenlee, who is earning $133,480 this year, and Fonseca, who earned $175,000 this year, will not have a salary change, Fidler said.
After Fonseca’s contract ends, he plans to return to Zanesville as a geography professor.
“A year from now, there will be plans for a search with the dean here,” Fonseca said. “I don’t think I’m coming back as it.”
