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Show AS Opinions Monday • June 30, 2008 Goodbye UVSC Photo by Ken Hoglund/UVU Review. Edited by UVU Review Cautiously and cordial, Pres. Sederburg is qualifying himself for a new job. Which of course would mean there might be a new sheriff in town for UVU. Jack J. Waters Goodbye UVSC. These words apply not only to the institution, but likely to our president, William A. Sederburg as well. There is currently a position available, according to the Web site www.utahsbr.edu for Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education. The job listing was posted Aug. 14, 2007, with the ending date set as "Until Filled." All signs point to this position being filled by Pres. Sederburg. He's been extremely busy in the UVU transition, effectively helping to qualify him for his own transition into Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education. Now, as things of this nature go, the tendency is that nothing is&fficial. nothing is confirmed, et cetera. But it does deserve notice that this job has been available for nearly a year now. and by all means it could have been filled in that amount of time. This position basically has Pres. Sederburg's name on it. This is, of course, if he is considered to be a finalist for the position and if he is even considering it. These are things that should be announced in the upcoming weeks or months. The job will have an essential need to be filled by the end of August, when the school year starts, though. The qualifications for the job can be found in the informational bc&es on the page. No scathing words will be found here about the president. He is a capable leader more than ready for the new position. No loyalty will be lost if he goes through his own individual transition from UVSC president to Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education. In fact, he has my vote for whatever it is worth. Pres. Sederburg has spent much of his academic life in the pursuit of excellence in education. This has carried over well for UVSC, as he has catapulted the school into university status, effective tomorrow, July I. He has cleared many hurdles, including a former UVSC president's worry that the new status would diminish the trades and technology courses. His recent accolades certainly help to bolster his candidacy for the job - namely, his being selected as CEO of the Year by Utah Business Magazine, and also as the 2007 Communicator of the Year, by the Public Relations Society of America. When UVU Review asked him directly if lie was fielding any offers from elsewhere after boosting his resume, he politely answered, "Looking for scoop, are you? You know, it is nice to be thought of like that. I've tried very hard for the last 6 months or so — I get asked this all the time - and I keep trying to say, let's just celebrate the moment. Don't bring me into this thing. I'm going to dodge the question totally. Let's Commissioner of Higher Education job info. For more':details, go to www.utahsbr.edu Richard E. Kendell announced plans to retire from Commissioner of Higher Education in June 2007. Chairman Jed H. Pitcher then commenced a search to select his successor, led by the State Board of Regents Executive Committee. After establishing a candidate pool, the executive committee will recommend finalists to the Board of Regents. The Executive Committee members are: Jed Pitcher - Chair, Board of Regents, Bonnie Jean Beesley .- Vice Chair, Board of Regents, Jerry Atkin, Katharine Garff, Jim Jardine, and Nolan Karras. The Utah System of Higher Education consists of ten public colleges and universities. The office employs over 200 individuals who engage in a range of activities that support Utah's higher education. The Commissioner is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Regents and is responsible to the Board to: 1. Provide statewide leadership, collaboration, coordination, strategic planning, policy development, standardized reporting procedures, information dissemination, Editor-in-chief program administration, and formulation of consolidated operating and capital budgets. 2. Recommend key policy initiatives. 3. Ensure that the Board's policies and programs are properly executed. The Commissioner is a key higher education spokesperson with the State Legislature, the U.S. Congressional Delegation, the Governor, and the leadership of the public education community. The Commissioner also chairs the Council of Presidents and assists the Board in presidential searches, appointments and evaluations. Candidates should have broad administrative and academic experience, a proven record of achievement in higher education, and possess leadership qualities essential for carrying out the responsibilities of the position. An earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree and demonstrated experience in dealing with policy-makers are required. come back, get August first and second out of the way, and see where it goes." Sounds like a tactful way to say "yes" without officially saying "yes." And credit should be given for his candor in wanting the focus to be on the celebration of the transition. As to whether the stating of August was a Freudian slip he made speaking of the job, or whether it was an honest mistake instead of saying "July first and second," it seemed to be another arrow pointing toward his exit. Though nothing is official regardless of what Pres. Sederburg says (or doesn't say), it stands duly noted that Sederburg is heavily qualified for the position of Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education. His moving into this position would still give him domain over UVU (as well as among other institutions of higher education in Utah). His resume and accomplishments notched on his belt ought to cement his name at the forefront of the finalists. If he is, in fact, staying on board at UVU, then I will admit I was wrong over a round of tennis (his forte) with him, if he'll have me. But you don't need to read the ingredients to know that cookies are in the oven. 1 think something is baking here, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who can smell it. Pres. Sederburg's qualifications and accolades « / *• Information found on his professional page at www.uvsc.edu And from a speaking announcement at wwwMgheredcenter.org President Sederburg began his academic journey by obtaining his own education: a bachelor's degree in education and political science from Mankato State University in Minnesota and a master's degree and doctorate both in political science from Michigan State University. He made Michigan his home for quite some time after that, serving in the state Senate and in various education capacities during a 20-year period. President Sederburg became Ferris State University's 16th president .(in Michigan) on August 1, 1995 after serving a year as interim president. He had been vice president of Public Sector Consultants, Inc. of Lansing. Dr. Sederburg was instrumental in gaining capital outlay funds for an ambitious campus expansion and renovation campaign, including a new National Elastomer Center, a state-of-the-art student recreation center, and capital outlay moniejj.to build a $50;million library. ^Sederburg also led the merger of Ferris and If endall College of Art and Design in* Grand Rapids, prpvid- ed more instructional technology for campus classrooms, restored funding to the intercollegiate athletic program, and instituted an academic scholarship for students living in residence halls. Sederburg served from 1978-91 as Michigan's 24th district state senator (Ingham County), chairing the Senate Heaith Policy Committee and Senate Appropriation Subcommittees on General Government and Higher Education, and Senate Select Committees on the Future of Higher Education and Tuition and Affordability. He also chaired the Midwest Council of State Government's Task Force on Higher Education. Sederburg presided over the transition of Utah Valley State College to Utah Valley University, which happened in a mere four years since he took the realm as president in 2003. The change to a university means more funds for UVU, an increase in full-time faculty members, a reduction in adjunct faculty members and the creation of graduate programs among other, things. |