The provost’s office has not appointed an interim associate provost for faculty affairs and has no plans to do so.

Kent State is looking to fill the void left by Gayle Ormiston, who left the university in August to take a provost position at Marshall University, within the next month or so.

“Tomorrow would be fine with me,” Provost Robert Frank said, adding the university hopes to have the replacement working by Nov. 1.

The provost’s office has formed a search committee, chaired by Tim Moerland, which is responsible for finding and recommending a replacement for Ormiston.

Moerland, who was recently appointed as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, called the vacant position critical and said the committee is looking to find a replacement as soon as October.

“This is a critical position,” he said. “We want a pool of applicants that is as diverse as possible.”

The committee has advertised the position for two weeks in both local and national publications, including the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Chronicle of Higher Education. So far, the committee has received at least 20 applications.

“Given the small number of days that it’s (the advertisement) been out, it is very encouraging,” Moerland said.

Until the position is filled, the following people are overseeing aspects of Ormiston’s former job:

&bull Academic personnel – Laura Davis, associate provost

&bull Curriculum – Therese Tillet, director of curriculum services

&bull Grievances – David Ochmann, associate university counsel

&bull Promotion and tenure – Stephane Booth, associate provost

Before the interview process begins, the search committee will meet this week and go through the applications, Moerland said. Interviewing decisions will come from this meeting.

Contact academic affairs reporter Maria Nann at [email protected].