AU to search for new provost to replace Heilman

When Dr. John Heilman stepped in as provost at Auburn University in the spring of 2005, he knew it was a temporary gig.

He agreed back then, that if he was going to be considered to fill in for Thomas Hanley, he would only do so until the new president selected a permanent provost.

Dr. Jay Gogue has been at the helm on The Plains since July, but Heilman didn’t announce his intentions until recently. Gogue broke the news to members of the University Senate during its meeting Tuesday.

He said Heilman will stay on until the end of the calendar year. The search for a new provost won’t start until the summer, Gogue said, with top candidates visiting campus in September. The final decision process will start then in January.

This departure comes on the heels of the loss of Bob McGinnis, AU’s vice president for development. Gogue announced McGinnis was leaving at the Jan. 31 Board of Trustees meeting. McGinnis has been the driving force behind Auburn’s biggest fundraising effort ever. The “It Begins at Auburn” capital campaign wraps up March 31, but has reached approximately $570 million so far.

Looking Ahead

Despite the positive outlook for the capital campaign, Gogue warned the senate membership that AU and Auburn Montgomery are preparing for what looks like a $60 million deficit in state appropriations for next year.

He also asked the faculty to review the initial draft of the university’s new strategic plan on-line and provide feedback. Not only does the list of 62 items need to be trimmed, but Gogue said there are some issues that should be added. As an example, he asked if Auburn should consider having an international degree-granting campus like other institutions.

Sustainability initiative

Some senators specifically addressed one issue—the sustainability initiative—in a discussion on a resolution for the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment. No one denied that Auburn should continue to address sustainability and climate issues, but some were concerned about joining the national commitment.

Rik Blumenthal, a senator from chemistry and biochemistry, for one, said he wouldn’t support anything that blames humans for the climate change. Chair-elect Bob Locy said if Auburn doesn’t commit to this, it should decide what it is willing to address.

The senate will likely be asked to vote on the resolution at its March meeting. If it passes, it will go to Gogue, who would then be expected to support the national
commitment.