Inside Updates: Search processes for two new administrators advance, a University Strategic Plan forum is set for March 2 and an update to the transportation of hazardous materials policy is available online.
Dean search advances, enrollment management search group formed
by Dr. Tim Greene, provost and vice president for academic affairs
As promised, I have updates to share regarding our searches for dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the associate provost for Enrollment Management.
The search committee for College of Arts and Sciences dean is conducting airport interviews. It is our plan to bring approximately three to five candidates to campus in April. As we have done in the past, we will provide members of the University community with opportunities to meet with each candidate in different settings, including in small group meetings, a public presentation, as well as in question and answer sessions for faculty, staff and students.
Meanwhile, the search committee for the associate provost for enrollment management has been formed to review prospective candidates. Its goal is to narrow the field to finalists who would then be invited to on-campus interviews and public presentations.
Co-chairs of this search committee are Jim Gilchrist, vice provost for budget and personnel and chief information officer, and Carla Koretsky, dean of the Lee Honors College. Cathy Smith, business manager senior in the Office of the Provost, is providing administrative support. The committee has been working since January with search consultants from Greenwood/Asher and Associates Inc.
Members of the search committee include Carrie Cumming, Registrar; Dachea Hill, director, admissions; Dr. Terrell Hodge, interim director, Student Financial Aid; Dr. Toni Woolfork-Barnes, director, First-Year Experience; Dr. Ed Martini, associate dean, Extended University Programs; Stacey Markin, marketing director, Haworth College of Business; Dr. Christine Byrd-Jacobs, associate dean, Graduate College; Dr. Andy Kline, professor, Department of Paper and Chemical Engineering; Dr. Ramona Lewis, faculty specialist II, Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology; and Ryan Snoeyink, undergraduate student representative.
The committee was charged with drafting the position description, developing an advertisement plan, and encouraging nominations and applications from prospective candidates. Prior to reviewing applications, the committee will participate in a Recruiting for Diversity training session hosted by the Office of Institutional Equity.
Updates on both searches will be available online at the administrative search page here.
Search updates will also be publicized through the WMU Today staff and faculty e-newsletter, the Updates in Academic Affairs online newsletter and on social media.
University Strategic Plan the subject of March 2 forum
Members of the University community are invited to attend a public forum on the second draft of the University Strategic Plan for 2020 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at the Fetzer Center’s Putney Auditorium.
Significant revisions were incorporated into the initial draft of the plan following a month of focus group forums sponsored by each vice presidential area and division. More than 400 participants provided input on the content and structure of the plan at 31 meetings. Faculty, staff and students asked questions about the nature of revisions, intent of wording and organization of the plan’s five goals.
By March 1, copies of the draft document will available for review at wmich.edu/strategic. Submit comments through the Contact Us menu option on this page. The revised plan is expected to go to the Board of Trustees for approval at its March 23 meeting.
As the University plan is released, Academic Affairs will begin to revise and align its strategic plan. A committee is being formed to review the annual reports of the 2012-2015 Academic Affairs plan, consider new priorities raised in the University plan and propose revisions for 2020. Each college and academic support unit was asked to nominate individuals to serve on the committee. The committee will solicit input from across campus.
An initial draft revision of the Academic Affairs Strategic Plan is expected to be available May 1. The revised plan will be presented to the academic community in September for final review and implementation. Colleges and units in Academic Affairs are encouraged to begin transition planning informed by both the broad direction of the University plan and ongoing discussions of the revised Academic Affairs plan.
Updated transportation of hazardous materials policy available online
The Travel Policy for the Transportation of Hazardous Materials has been updated. Please review an addition to the policy on page 12 at the following link:
http://wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u332/2016/Travel%20policy_final%2021516_0.pdf
Changes to the travel policy should be reviewed by all faculty, staff and students in departments whose job responsibilities or areas of study may include the handling or transporting of hazardous materials. The policy requires proper training provided by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety to handle or transport hazardous materials.
For more information, contact Mark Weiss, director of environmental health and safety, at (269) 387-5588, or Jeff Long, director of accounting, at (269) 387-2208.