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As part of a reorganization in the Office of the Provost, an executive position has changed, another has been eliminated, and others are being created to better serve the needs of the University.
Finalists are being evaluated for a new position of vice provost for faculty development, which will include oversight of the new Center for Teaching Excellence, faculty hiring, and career development. An appointment could be announced this fall.
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| Jim Augustine |
A new part-time University ombudsman position has been created and will report to the University provost. Jim Augustine, a School of Medicine professor and former chair of the Faculty Senate, has been appointed as the first University ombudsman to serve as a mediator for faculty concerns and conflicts. He spent time while chair of the Faculty Senate serving informally in this capacity and researching the role and function of ombudspersons at other universities.
"This is uncharted territory at the faculty level, so we don't know how this is going to unfold in terms of time demand," Augustine said. "The ombudsman will be independent, impartial, confidential, and the process of interacting with faculty will be informal. The University ombudsman will deal with problems and concerns that are outside the purview of the faculty grievance committee and other formal channels."
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| Ted Moore |
Similar ombuds positions for staff (Ken Titus) and students (Mary-David Fox) already exist.
William T. "Ted" Moore, formerly associate provost for budget and operations, will serve as vice provost for academic affairs. He will have responsibility for academic policy, budgeting, and academic programs.
Assisting Moore with academic policy will be Elise Ahyi, a new assistant provost currently working at Tufts University who will arrive at USC in January. In addition, two current provost's office staff, Phil Moore and Judi Blyth, will report to Ted Moore as assistant provost for assessment and compliance and assistant provost for budget, respectively.
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| Elise Ahyi |
Gordon Baylis, formerly associate provost for academic initiatives, is leaving the provost's office to accept a half-time position overseeing research collaboration for Health Sciences South Carolina HSSC, a consortium that includes USC, MUSC, Clemson University, and three major hospital systems.
Baylis will continue to serve as a psychology professor and in an advisory capacity to the University provost and the vice president for research and health sciences. His former
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| Gordon Baylis |
responsibilities as associate provost, which included oversight of the Faculty Excellence Initiative recruitment program, will be absorbed by the new vice provost for faculty development.
Changes in the provost's office will facilitate improved support of academic programs and USC faculty without significantly increasing staffing levels in his office, Provost Mark Becker said.
"I can think of no better candidates for their new positions than professors Augustine and Baylis, and I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Elise Ahyi to USC," Becker said. "Her combined experience and talents make her an outstanding addition to our office."
Other provost's office changes are planned and will come about later in the academic yeaer. A proposed new position, associate provost for international programs, already is under consideration.
8/06
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USC Provost Mark Becker
