April 15, 2008

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to tell you about reorganization within Academic Affairs that will provide enhanced support for several high-priority initiatives that were developed in response to needs identified in the faculty climate report and the Academic Leadership Workshop.

I am pleased to announce that Margaret Kasimatis, Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, will expand her duties to provide leadership for faculty development and support. In this, Margaret will work closely with the faculty member serving as Special Assistant to the Chief Academic Officer. I am also pleased to announce that Birute Vileisis will move up to the Academic Affairs Suite and join this team as Director of Faculty Support.

This reorganization will support such things as an extended orientation program for new faculty, expanded mentoring programs for faculty, administration of a variety of faculty support services and resources and provide resources for the preparation of grant proposals to support faculty development initiatives. In addition, building on fine work she has already done, Birute will continue to oversee and manage the LMU Summer Grants Program, work on research development opportunities for faculty, and coordinate events, publications and web activities that celebrate faculty success.

Moving some research-related activities out of the Sponsored Projects Office will permit that office to focus attention on those activities that relate directly to submitting and managing proposals for external funding. Joe Hellige, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, will soon begin the search for a new Director of the Sponsored Projects Office.

Sincerely,


Ernie Rose
Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer