Penn State Intercom......September 19, 2002

University announces
reorganization of
administrative offices

As part of Penn State's efforts to further streamline its administrative operations, and to focus as much as possible of current internal budget reductions on administrative savings, the University plans to eliminate two senior positions.

The formerly separate position of dean of International Programs will be eliminated and will be merged with the position of vice provost for Undergraduate Education to form the position of vice provost for Undergraduate Education and International Programs. As previously announced, Jan Jacobs, professor of human development and family studies and psychology, who currently serves as vice president for administration, will begin service on Oct. 1 in her new role as vice provost.

The currently separate position of vice president for Administration will be eliminated and will be merged with the position of vice president for University Relations. The new position, which will have the title of vice president for University Relations, will include all of the responsibilities of each of the two current vice presidential areas except for the Office of Affirmative Action, as described below. Responsibilities of the merged position will include the Office of the Board of Trustees, staff support and management for the Office of President, Office of Public Information, University Marketing, University Publications, Development Communications and Special Projects, and the Office of Campus and Community Affairs. Steve MacCarthy, currently vice president for University Relations, will assume this increased scope of responsibility effective Oct. 1.

The Office of Affirmative Action will now report directly to the executive vice president and provost of the University. This realignment of Affirmative Action is consistent with recommendations of the external study committee that reviewed the office during this past year. The new reporting line also will facilitate better connections with the academic personnel activities of the University, the Office of Educational Equity, and the colleges and departments associated with Penn State's academic enterprise. Kenneth Lehrman recently joined the University as the new director of Affirmative Action. Lehrman had previously served in a similar capacity at the University of Oregon.

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