by Heather Baxter
Assistant Sports Editor
Following the vacancy of the vice president of academic affairs position in June, Robert Neher, chair of the Natural Sciences Department has been tapped to fill the position on an interim basis.
The retirement of Bill Cook at the end of the last academic year left a hole in the Academic Affairs program. Approached by President Stephen Morgan about the possibility of taking over the responsibilities, Neher said that he considered the offer for the duration of the summer before committing to take the position.
“They didn’t have a replacement during the summer,” said Neher. “I think the president took over some of the activities during that period of time, that [Cook] normally would have done.”
Sept. 1 was Neher’s first day as the interim vice president of academic affairs, although he began preparations before that date.
“The complexity of the University makes it very difficult, I think, to ever know exactly what’s going on everywhere,” said Neher, explaining why he spent weeks preparing for his duties. “With all of the different campuses, there are dozens and dozens of programs [of which I am in charge].”
Some of Neher’s primary duties include overseeing all campus programming, as well as supervising all department heads and deans of the different University colleges. “The position is the chief academic officer of the University.”
Although the new position has not forced Neher to relinquish his natural sciences chair, he has opted to relinquish his classes until a permanent replacement can be found. Neher is optimistic that his replacement will be found by the beginning of next semester.
In the meantime, Neher said that many of the biology professors have assisted with the increased workload. “They have helpful and cooperative. It makes it possible to do what I’m doing.”
The search for a permanent vice president is currently being conducted. Ads have been placed in publications and a committee has been assembled to make a decision about the position.
