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Show Administration Openings 1991 Page A-- 5 President- wants to balance administrative focus "'""v . . r I I 7 1 ;' By who sign up. Another proposal involves a regularly scheduled Susan Williams Chronicle News Editor I - " 1 tv I I J -- By raising funds from outside the University of Utah and establishing "freewheeling sessions" with U. students, the new U. president wants to be "both the inside and outside president." President Arthur Smith said he has many goals and will not emphasize one aspect of the U. at the risk of neglecting another. Fund raising, SS'S teaching, research, sports and especially undergraduate studies will all be high priorities, he said. "'Balance' is the word" for the E administration's view on teaching and research, he said. Both are the primary missions of the school, and it is possible to balance them. Undergraduate studies is the "foundation" of quality at a university, Smith said, so that will be a high priority for him. CHROMICU PHOTO Judd I. "The undergraduate program is very important to me," he said, although research, public service and funding will not be neglected. One way to keep improving teaching methods is to stay directly in touch with the needs and concerns of students, he added. Smith has made proposals to Normand Gibbons, vice president and dean of student affairs, regarding student access to the president. One Hilhmm President Arthur Smith and his wife, June, plan to be active in the University of Utah experience. proposal has been a monthly breakfast for the first 30 to 35 students luncheon with U. student leaders. "I do want to work with students on teaching," he said. In addition to working with students, President Smith said he wants "to reinvigorate the faculty." The U. has an "outstanding faculty" and "the momentum is going to build." The U. is "not unique" in its problems with keeping good faculty members, he said, but the U. is "better deal with such positioned" difficulties. The loss of faculty to members because of low salaries is "not a worrisome trend." "We'll always have a problem with retaining faculty," Smith said, because other universities will try to hire the promising U. faculty members who have learned a commitment to excellence at the U. However, U. officials will always make competing counteroffers and will be "raiding other institutions" for quality faculty said, and students need access to all that new information. He realizes the U. libraries are currently "struggling to preserve the quality of collections." When it comes to raising private funds, he said, "My aspiration is to be every bit as successful as my predecessor." Smith said he is also concerned about other aspects of student life on campus. Because the U. is a commuter campus, it is difficult to involve students with campus activities, he said. It "takes special attention to keep students involved." Research shows there is a high success rate for students who live on campus, he said, because they complete their baccalaureate degrees sooner. "I want to ensure that our programs are current." And while all aspects of the U. interest him, Smith said, he knows he cannot make all the decisions involving the U. He wants the best possible staff on hand to make the members. Other financial problems are a big decisions. Decisions on how to restructure the administration will not be made for surrounding U. libraries. The plan to expand the Marriott Library is currently being considered by the Utah Legislature, while funds for other aspect of the libraries are being sought from private donations. The U.'s base budget needs to be considered, he added, so it will at least grow with the rate of inflation. "We are part of a world in which knowledge is just exploding," Smith another three or four months, he issue, he said, such as those added. Because there are a number of equally good ways to restructure the administration, "I have to look at the strengths of the people who are there." However, Smith said he is sure that he and his wife, June, are excited for their new positions as president and first lady. His wife also intends to be an active part of the U., he said. vice presidents don't anticipate structural changes U. Susan Williams Chronicle News Editor By After major structural changes in the University of Utah last year, administration administrators expect any this year to come changes slowly. vice Mclntyre, academic for affairs, president said she thinks President Arthur Smith "will get to know the organization" before he makes Jerilyn any major changes. "Change will come slowly, if at all," she said. Smith himself said he will not decide what administrative changes should be made for three or four months. Although changes, structural or otherwise, are to be made by Smith, Mclntyre said, she and many of her colleagues are confident of his leadership. "I think President Smith has a very sound vision for what the university should be and where it should go," she said. Administrative priorities will include the libraries and undergraduate education, she added. These initiatives, especially the focus on the undergraduate program, will be important issues, but not at the University of Utah President expense of research. Both aspects of the U. can be balanced. Walter Gnemi, vice president for administrative services, said he is not contemplating any administrative changes, and he does not expect that President Smith is either. "I think our structure administrative Vice Chronicle Associate Editor Before any new classes, policy changes or appointments are made at the University of Utah, they must be approved by the Board of Trustees and the Academic Senate. While the two bodies both serve as checkpoints for substantive changes or innovative improvements at the U., they represent different viewpointsa and perspectives. The Board is council comprised almost completely of members from outside the whereas the senate is university, composed completely of faculty members who are elected through their departments. The U.'s Board, like those at other assists higher education institutions, school's of the in the selection presidents, approves the institution's internal policies and budget decisions Academic Affairs r J 01 Assistant vice president . w Health Science A. Facilities academic vice president and health sciences vice president were created, and the provost Associate Vice President of Academic position was eliminated. and Research were effective because she and William Gay, former vice Computing Mclntyre said the changes president for health sciences, were kept Smith will preside over the search for vice presidents for research and health sciences, both of which currently have Associate Vice President for Diversity and Faculty Development d. acting vice presidents. The new administration will be "focused on issues," Mclntyre added, because the U. is entering a new era in which U. officials will be committed to both access and quality. Associate Vice President President for Budget and Planning Vice President for Vice Associate Vice President Development President for Research Associate Vice President Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs and Vice Services Vice President for University Relations has the final say on recommended policy changes. Made up of members from the business and working community of Salt Lake City, one of the board's main objectives is to provide a removed, but interested, perspective on the institution's goals and policies. "The Board performs the same function boards in general perform," U. Rothermich, said A.E. and director administrative policies Board secretary. "The key to the Board is they're in a position to see issues from a long-terperspective." board, eight Of the members are local professionals four-yeappointed by the governor for terms. The other two members, ASUU president and the president of the Alumni Association, are members, meaning they are members by virtue of their positions. While the Board is supposed to provide more objective input on U. issues, the senate, with 75 faculty m 10-mem- ar io . Assistant Vice President of and Jennifer Gully Administrative Services Administration Trustees, Senate review By Vice President for Vice President for is working well," he said. Last year, several structural changes were made within the administration. The positions of well-informe- President for U. issues Student lobbying force members, 18 students and two voting deans, exists as a forum for faculty and student viewpoints. Given the senate now elects its own chair instead of being run by a member of the administration, it is designed by "With its own chair, it's in the process of being able to show more Bruce said independence," Landesman, the senate's second elected chair. When the vice president for academic affairs chaired the senate meetings, issues outside of what would normally come to the body were determined by administrators. Senate members now have a larger opportunity to take more initiative in what they would like to see addressed at the monthly meetings, he said. Faculty willingness to really grapple with difficult issues and explore new topics and policies see "Senate" on page A-- 8 groups Utah's higher education product and lobbying effort will give legislators the opportunity to hear this By Rebecca Walsh Chronicle Editor in Chief freer to examine issues that its members feel are important. U. Students tired of passively griping about the nebulous bureaucracy responsible for Utah's higher education budget crunch can try their hand at pleading for the University of Utah. In a joint effort the Associated Students of the University of Utah and University Relations are coordinating a student lobbying force. Mark Braza, chairperson of ASUU's Public Affairs Board, said students are being mobilized for this year's legislative session to prove to legislators that "students are actually out there and aren't just FTE numbers on their budget sheets. "Students are the consumers of how students actually feel about the product," Braza added. Ray Haeckel, executive director of Government, Community and Public Relations, said students, staff and faculty of the university "should be the best ambassadors the university has, but we go home and carp about our funding problems. "Students need to remember, most importantly, they are voters and can impact the political process through efforts." their grass-rooBraza and representatives of the Public Affairs Board are appointing interested students from each district. These district leaders are in charge of lobbying students in their area to ts participate in the effort. see "legislature" on page A-- 8 |
