Update – Dean of Education Search
Wednesday, March 18th, 2015Dear graduate students in Education programs,
I am writing to update you on the progress of the decanal search. This update follows my meeting with members of the faculty and staff on 19 February, and a further meeting earlier Tuesday (March 17) with the Search Advisory Committee. In recent days I have also heard directly from a number of Education colleagues regarding their views about the best way forward.
As you know, the decanal position has been widely advertised, electronically and in print, for more than three months. In addition to this advertising, more than three dozen individuals currently serving in professorial, associate decanal, and decanal positions in universities across the country have been contacted directly by my office regarding this opportunity.
The Search Advisory Committee is not unanimous on next steps. After weighing their advice carefully in the context of further input from other colleagues in the Faculty who have contacted me, from colleagues at other universities, and from search consultants themselves, I believe it best to conclude the current search process, and not to begin another process at this time.
To ensure stable leadership for the Faculty in these circumstances, I therefore intend to recommend to President Timmons that Dr Jennifer Tupper, currently Acting Dean of the Faculty, be appointed to a three-year term as Dean of Education from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2018. In making such a recommendation to the President, I am drawing on the input of people in the Faculty, both faculty and staff. Together with many, I am confident that Dr Tupper will continue to lead the Faculty of Education with strength, integrity, and vision during that period. At the end of that three-year period, a search process will be carried out.
Prior to making the formal recommendation to the President, however, I invite you – faculty, staff, student representatives, stakeholders – to give me your thoughts. Dr Tupper will make an open presentation to faculty, staff, student representatives, and stakeholders on Monday 23 March from 2 to 3 pm in the Teaching Preparation Centre (ED 228). I invite you to attend that presentation, and then write to me. Please do so prior to noon on Thursday 26 March, directly and in confidence to provost@uregina.ca. If you wish to speak with me in person, please call Robyn Lekien at 306.585.4384 and she will schedule an appointment or a phone call.
Thank you in advance for your collegial input on this key appointment.
Sincerely,
Thomas Chase
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
