Search for new vice provost of student affairs coming to a close

With interviews for vice provost of student affairs complete, students and faculty are now waiting to see which of the three candidates will fill the position.

Lisa Wolf-Wendel, professor of educational leadership and policy studies and member of the search committee, said she thought there would be a decision later this week.

“The search committee has completed its work and that the decision is now in the hands of the provost’s office,” Wolf-Wendel said. “We eagerly await the announcement of the new vice provost for student affairs.”

Hannah Bolton, a junior from St. Libory, Neb., and next year’s student body president, said she thinks whomever is selected needs to include students in important decisions at the University.

“When the vice provost is in a meeting with administration about big issues, that person needs to make sure students are part of the conversation,” Bolton said. “They are probably the most connected administrator with students on campus.”

Students also have a responsibility to have their voices heard, whether they are serving in Student Senate or not. By voicing their opinions to the new vice-provost, herself, or senators serving on committees, students can be a part of discussions that affect their education Bolton said.

She added she is confident that the provost’s office will choose a qualified candidate and looks forward to working with them.

“The relationship between the student body president and the student affairs direction has been strong throughout the years, and I look forward to continuing that tradition,” Bolton said.

Outgoing student body president Libby Johnson, a senior from Lawrence, said the duty of the vice-provost of student affairs is being an advocate for students.

“I think this person should be someone who students can recognize and feel that they can go to with concerns,” Johnson said. “They should be visible on campus and interested in what students are interested in.”

Johnson said the person selected needs to be ready to navigate the changes coming to education as part of the Chancellor’s five-year “Bold Aspirations” initiative.

“Any time you have this many changes happening all at once as we do now, it is important to have people, students and administrators alike who are invested in protecting the student voice at KU,” Johnson said. “I view that as the main job of the student government and the vice-provost of student affairs.”

Edited by Katie James

Marshall Schmidt is a graduate student majoring in biomedical engineering from Mount Hope. Read more from .

  • Updated May. 2, 2012 at 10:10 pm