A proposal introduced on the floor of the University Council meeting March 19 that would involve the search committee for the next provost is under review by UGA President Michael F. Adams.
The proposal, introduced by Susan Mattern, associate professor of history, states that the chair of the provost search committee will report to the council at its meetings, finalists will be announced to the council and that the council will vote for one finalist, which the committee will take under advisement. Adams, who did not speak during discussion of the issue, said he may veto the proposal out of worry that it could shrink the pool of candidates who apply for the position.
“Let me say to you in a spirit of candor, that I think this very ill-advised,” he said. “And I think it will substantially detract from the number of people in the pool who will meet those kinds of requirements.”
Adams has until April 16 to decide. If he vetoes the proposal, the council can direct its executive committee to appeal the veto to the University System Board of Regents through a majority vote.
Also at the meeting, Adams warned that because of recent budget cuts the university will have to delay creating a Women’s Center and an expanded childcare facility. He remains committed to both projects, he said, once finances allow.
“To be honest, between those two legitimate needs, childcare comes first,” he said.
The council also voted to allow lab classes to administer final exams during the last day of class and clarified language forbidding other classes to test on the final class day or require papers due before the time slotted for final examinations. The body also voted to expand the number of ex-officio members to 31 and increase student representation on the council from 23 to 25.
