December 17, 2002
Dear Colleagues,
Over the course of the last nine months we have had many decisions to make here at ULM, none of those has been more difficult on me than the selection of a Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Search Committee, chaired by Dr. Luke Thomas, did an excellent job in finding three good candidates for the position. All three had strong points and weak points, and they all bring certain strengths to the table. I believe that all of them will make a good chief academic affairs officer for some institution at some point in time. However, we need the right person for ULM right now.
Last week upon my return from SACS I spent an entire day discussing this issue with several groups of faculty, including the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, the Search Committee, and two groups of senior faculty. After those meetings, I made several calls and discussed the search with other faculty on the campus. I also asked you to email me your thoughts on the Provost search and many of you did, including a number of our students.
What I discovered was that there was fairly equal support for all three of the candidates. I have lost a great deal of sleep over this decision because it is not an easy one. I have received a few very extreme comments questioning my integrity, lineage, and suitability for my position. However, the vast majority of faculty on this campus have given me their opinions, supported their candidate, and then given me their support regardless of my decision. I appreciate their trust that I will always make decisions that I think will benefit ULM in the long run.
Therefore, I have decided to name Dr. Stephen Richters Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. After very careful deliberation, discussion, and prayer, I believe that Steve is the right person for this job at this point in our history. I am extensively swayed by results. We are much better off now than we were a year ago, and Steve has been a major player in the metamorphosis of the campus. He is unanimously trusted and supported in Baton Rouge, and the executive team has an unusually good chemistry which allows us to get things done.
After interviewing all the candidates, hearing the opinions of many of our senior faculty, and knowing the situation that faces us today and over the next few years, it is my opinion that we cannot afford a nine to eighteen month learning curve that would be required of the other well-qualified candidates. Steve knows the campus, its problems and its strengths. He knows the high schools, our legislative delegation, and the staff of the Boards of Supervisors and Regents. We will be able to continue without hesitation our work to reinvent ULM. We do not need a Provost that will be with us for three years and then move to another position; you and I need a Provost that will be with us for seven to ten years. We need long-term continuity in that position and in my opinion Steve is the candidate that assures us of continued loyalty to ULM.
I am also convinced that Steve will grow and develop into the position, much as I have done as a new president. Some people take a job and settle in, some take the job and rise to the occasion. Steve has shown the capability to rise to the position. Will he be a different leader in the permanent role than he has been in the interim role? The answer is yes. We have had to make some quick and often difficult decisions just to right this ship, and he has shown the courage to make those decisions. While we have many more challenges in front of us, he agreed to take this position if we increase the level of faculty involvement in future deliberations on academic matters. I am confident that Steve will be a strong voice for the faculty.
I appreciate your support and advice during this process. I am confident that ULM's executive team will enjoy your continued encouragement and support as we all move the institution forward. ULM is clearly on the rise, our image is one of rebirth, and our students are energized and excited about their future with us. I look forward, with your help, to continue our progress into the new year.
James E. Cofer, Sr.
ULM President