APSU announces first provost, organizational changes
At last weeks quarterly meeting of the Tennessee Board of Regents at Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, significant organizational changes at APSU were approved.For the first time in history, APSU has a provost. The position of vice president for academic affairs, held by Dr. Bruce Speck, will be converted to provost and vice president for academic and student services.
At last week's quarterly meeting of the Tennessee Board of Regents at Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, significant organizational changes at APSU were approved.
For the first time in history, APSU has a provost. The position of vice president for academic affairs, held by Dr. Bruce Speck, will be converted to provost and vice president for academic and student services.
The position of vice president for student affairs has been changed to associate vice president for student affairs and will report directly to Speck. Dr. Diane Berty, dean of student services, has accepted a one-year interim appointment as associate vice president for student affairs, with Barbara Phillips continuing in her capacity as assistant vice president for student affairs.
Hoppe said, 鈥淯nder Dr. Berty's leadership, I expect all major functions of student affairs to continue and, in some cases, expand.
鈥淭he decision to combine academic and student affairs was made primarily to integrate those two functions at a higher level. With the advent of learning communities, this is even more critical than in the past. The new organizational structure will facilitate collaborative working relationships not only in the proposed learning communities but in other ways as well.鈥
The combination of academic and student affairs is a common model at many universities. Three of the six TBR universities have a provost who oversees both academic and student affairs. Hoppe said, 鈥淚t's my understanding that an additional TBR institution will use this model beginning July 1. With APSU added, five of the six TRB universities will have a combined academic/student affairs unit.鈥
In other organizational changes, Richard Jackson, who has served since 2001 as senior adviser to the president, was named vice president for legal affairs and strategic planning, thus expanding his administrative role and adding such duties as contract review, policy administration and strategic planning.
To better integrate facilities scheduling and usage, the Office of University Center/Facilities and Services, under the direction of Andy Kean, will report to Vice President for Finance and Administration Mitch Robinson.
To support and integrate functions that impact enrollment management and academic success, the position of director of academic support services, held by Dr. Harriett McQueen, professor of education, will be converted to dean of enrollment management and academic support. Departments reporting to McQueen will be academic support services, institutional research, developmental studies, career planning and placement, first-year programs and enrollment services, which includes the 狐狸视频 Office, Student Financial Aid Office and the Office of the Registrar.
Carlene Smith, acting director of human resources, will report to the vice president for finance and administration to facilitate processing and service, especially during implementation of new human resources software. Col. Greg Kaufmann, recently named director of APSU's new Institute for Global Security Studies, will report directly to Hoppe.
To facilitate investigations and compliance, a new affirmative action position has been added and will be responsible for conducting investigations or research and preparing responses to external agencies under the auspices of the vice president for legal affairs and strategic planning. Registrar Shelia Bryant will serve one year as interim affirmative action officer with Telaina Wrigley, assistant registrar, serving as acting registrar during this interim period.
Reflecting additional responsibilities for special projects crossing organizational lines, the special assistant to the president, Carol Clark, has been named executive assistant to the president.
Hoppe said, 鈥淚 want to thank all of these people who have agreed to take on additional work in support of the University's programs and services. I think the University is well positioned to make tremendous strides during the next decade.鈥
鈥擠ennie Burke