Ross announces major leadership changes, Gates appointed CHSBS dean

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University President George Ross made several significant changes Tuesday to senior leadership positions effective Monday, Jan. 17.

The development and alumni relations, and government relations and public affairs offices were consolidated into one division. Kathy Wilbur, current vice president of government relations and public affairs, will become vice president of development and external relations. The move eliminates the vice president for development and alumni relations position, currently held by Ted Tolcher in an interim capacity.

Ross said the move, determined after assessing operational efficiencies and cost improvements, was in part a testament to Wilbur, who previously served as interim university president, in an interview Tuesday with Central Michigan Life. Her salary will increase to $215,000 annually.

Her success with fundraising efforts, her skill set and experience with the university’s relationships in government, corporate and the business community contributed to the appointment, Ross said.

“Kathy is key … I’m happy and lucky enough to have that person in the university,” he said.

Wilbur said her new title will make the university more effective.

“I’m very excited, it’s a great combination of existing organizations,” she said.

Ross said Wilbur become chief development officer of fundraising across all the colleges, corporate and foundation fundraising, and all alumni affair relationships while maintaining all of her current responsibilities.

Tolcher said he is pleased with the appointment of Wilbur, and will continue his responsibilities as assistant vice president of major and planned giving program.

“I was doing two jobs at once: (assistant vice president of major and planned giving program and vice president of development and alumni relations) and I enjoy doing that (the assistant vice president position),” he said. “I get more donor contact and that is my forte — more personal contact.”

Ross also created a vice president position for enrollment and student services, which will be subject to a nationwide search to fill the opening. The new vice president will report directly to the president and is responsible for student enrollment goals, student retention and graduation rates, marketing responsibilities and keeping the university competitive, Ross said.

CHSBS dean chosen

After twice acting as the interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, Pamela Gates has been named the permanent dean of the college.

Gates was the CHSBS associate dean from 2001 to 2006, served as interim dean in 2007, served again as associate dean from 2008 to 2009, and has again been interim since July 2009.

Ross said the ability for the selection committee, which included Provost Gary Shapiro and himself, to evaluate Gates in action as the interim helped color their decision.

“We’ve had the opportunity to observe her: Her leadership abilities, the respect she has from the faculty … her ability to lead the college,” Ross said. “She cares about students and student learning.”

Gates said her responsibilities will remain the same as they have been as interim dean. She said the main change will be her ability to make longer-lasting decisions.

“You never make permanent decisions as an interim, because you work with consideration for the next dean,” Gates said. “We can move the college forward in a way the staff is excited we are doing.”

The appointment follows a national search to fill the position.

“The search produced a number of fine candidates and Dr. Gates was the clear choice,” Shapiro said.

General Counsel

General Counsel Manuel Rupe will now report directly to Ross instead of David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services.

“At most higher education institutions, the general counsel reports directly to the president, so the reorganization is really intended to bring CMU in line with best practices in higher education,” Rupe said Tuesday in an e-mailed statement. “The general counsel represents the university and its board of trustees, so it makes sense for the general counsel to report directly to the President.”

Ross said previous to 2002, the general counsel answered to the president, but former University President Michael Rao moved the general counsel to underneath the vice president of finances and administrative services when Ross took the position.

Ross said although Rupe will answer directly to him, he will still continue to have regular conversations with the vice presidents.

“The reporting of Dr. Rupe to me rather than the VP … is a structure that is common,” Ross said. “I’ve assessed the university (and) looked at the structure. Given the role of general counsel, given the number of conversations we have … it was appropriate.”