It’s no longer University of Akron interim president Matthew Wilson and interim provost Rex Ramsier.
The interim titles were removed in a unanimous vote Wednesday by the UA board of trustees. Wilson’s term was extended to June 30, 2019, rather than 18 months. Ramsier’s contract runs until June 30, 2018. Neither will see a salary increase. The board chair said the university was looking for stability in the job and commended both for their hard work.
Wilson said he was humbled by the appointment.
“I’m truly honored and privileged for the opportunity I can have to serve the students we have here; the prospective students will hopefully come,” Wilson said in reaction to the appointment. “At the same time, I’m really excited to reach out and have an impact on students — because they really are the leaders of the future.”
Board chairman Rollie Bauer said five priorities were set for Wilson and the university July 11 when Wilson was appointed interim president. They were: develop a sustainable budget; increase enrollment; accelerate progress in increasing student retention; rebuild and strengthen relationships with various constituencies; and significantly grow development efforts.
“Matt is well on his way to meeting or exceeding those high expectations,” Bauer said. “In the months since his appointment, he has brought new energy and enthusiasm to all corners of the campus and the community. He is personally visiting area high schools — 22 so far, with another 44 scheduled the rest of this semester — talking with students and engaging with principals and counselors to help with our recruitment and enrollment efforts. He has had well over 60 meetings with donors, business and community leaders and public officials. He is conducting ‘town halls’ with the colleges and academic units to foster free-flowing conversations,” Bauer said.
“He has actively engaged with students in the usual and some not-so-usual ways, such as basketball contests and late-night email exchanges to provide guidance to students who have asked for help.”
Bauer said that although there has been progress and a revitalized spirit, there’s a lot more work to do — and stable leadership from the top is critical to success.
“Dr. Ramsier’s depth of experience as a faculty member and administrator, his personal devotion to the university as an alumnus and his broad knowledge of national accrediting agencies and their procedures have secured the confidence of the board as well,” Bauer said. “We recognize that, as provost, he serves an important ‘gatekeeper’ function to both oversee and push forward the academic mission of the university.”
Ramsier has held the interim position since January.
Why make the appointments permanent now?
“A long and expensive national search for new leaders would unnecessarily postpone this process and possibly squander the progress already made,” Bauer said. “At the urging of many respected voices both within and outside the university, the decision was clear to move forward with the talent and experience already at hand.”
Three groups talked with the board members in separate, private sessions — first the Faculty Senate, followed by the Akron chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the University Council. The groups expressed concerns about the selection process, the lack of transparency from the board and the insufficient time for deliberation to provide for shared governance (each group was given a few days notice) and the lack of performance data shared with constituency groups for an informed decision.
The University Council Executive Committee noted that the board did not formally ask for students’ input. But on Monday, the UA Undergraduate Student Government issued a statement in support of Wilson’s potential full-time appointment.
The AAUP wanted more of a consultation process than an information process.
Pastor David Parker of Zion Apostolic Faith Church in Akron was at the meeting on behalf of black community leaders. He submitted a letter to the trustees and Wilson to express concerns about graduation and retention rates among African-American students. Currently, the four-year graduation rate of black males is 4.2 percent and the four-year graduation rate of black females is 2.5 percent.
Bauer said the issue will be addressed and it is a concern of UA.
The board committed to discussions with seven constituency groups before June 30, 2018, to weigh satisfaction with the new leadership.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.