February 25, 2009 - VP of Business and Financial Affairs

Colleagues:

I am writing to share with you a decision regarding the position of Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs, which will be open beginning March 24th when Vice President Pierce concludes his many years of distinguished service to Western Washington University.

Our goal was to have a permanent appointment in place by the end of the current academic year. Fortunately, Assistant Vice President Wetherell had previously agreed to provide vice presidential leadership for Business and Financial Affairs in the interim between Vice President Pierce`s retirement and the hiring of his replacement.

In recent weeks and as a result of a national search, we have had the opportunity to get to know three strong finalists.  After their visits, I reviewed the candidate assessments that many of you prepared; met with the Business and Financial Affairs Directors, the Search Committee, and the Vice Presidents; did further reference checking; and talked with one finalist.

Considering all of that information, the available options, and a reassessment of our needs, we have concluded that Western is best served by asking Assistant Vice President Wetherell to serve as Interim Vice President for a more extended period than had been anticipated.

Our immediate need – not as clearly evident when the search began – is to address looming major budget reductions in Business and Financial Affairs and at the university, knowledgeably doing so with minimal damage to the units involved and to Western.  Having a sequence of leadership changes (current vice president, interim vice president, next vice president) just as the budget process was playing out would have been challenging within the Division and the university.   

Ms. Wetherell brings to the interim assignment an understanding of our university as well as considerable experience outside of Western.  Fortunately, Ms. Wetherell has agreed to serve in the interim capacity for a period that, I am expecting, will last about 12 months.  Her service in the new position will begin on March 25th.

This fall, we will again reevaluate the university`s leadership needs for the Business and Financial Affairs Division.  My expectation is that we would again undertake a national search to fill the vice presidential position.  As is the case within all Divisions as we go through our current budget and subsequent strategic planning, this will also give us the opportunity to thoughtfully consider alternative organizational approaches.

I want to personally thank Kathy Wetherell for agreeing to provide leadership at this challenging time.  She has the strong support of her colleague vice presidents, of me, and, I trust, of you. 

I also want to thank the search committee for their diligent work on behalf of Western.  They identified strong candidates, yes.  But it was also their insights as we discussed the candidates and our current needs that helped us see the wisdom of the approach we have decided to take.

And, finally, I want to thank Vice President Pierce, on behalf of us all, for his many years of dedicated service to Western and, personally, for his willingness to postpone his retirement in order to help me during a period of transition.  We will all have an opportunity to thank George in person at his retirement reception in April.

Bruce