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UC DAVIS: OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR March 6, 2008 DEANS, DIRECTORS, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS PLEASE MAKE THIS AVAILABLE TO ALL FACULTY AND STAFF SUBJECT: Appointment of Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor In the past two weeks, two paths have merged - the campus's consideration of candidates for the position of Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor and our deliberations over how best to deal with deepening budget challenges. When we began our search for the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, the State of California's fiscal circumstance was dramatically different than it is today. Then, the state projected a budgetary shortfall of $6 billion that was predicted to be resolved in the 2008-09 budget. That was a reasonably good and fair circumstance into which we could recruit a new Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. But we recently learned that the state's structural deficit has now grown to an estimated $16 billion - a shortfall that likely cannot be fixed in just a year or two and that will require significant cuts in the University of California's budget. Our own rapidly increasing energy costs add to the campus's fiscal challenges. I am confident that the campus can meet these challenges, although working through them will not be easy. The Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, in consultation with the Academic Senate and our administrative team, will be responsible for ensuring that UC Davis continues to build upon its foundation of excellence while dealing with a very difficult budgetary circumstance. After considerable deliberation, I have concluded that this is not a situation into which we can bring a new Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. Our finalists were all distinguished scholars with impressive records of achievement. I know as well, from the evaluations by dozens of campus citizens, the recruitment advisory committee and the Council of Deans and Vice Chancellors, that each had strong advocates, so I particularly regret the circumstance that forces me to suspend our search. The position of Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor is arguably the most complex in the university. Responsibility for the careful stewarding and allocation of our resources of all kinds - money, land, building space, faculty and staff positions, enrollments, renovation and construction funds, etc. - is of primary importance. Someone from outside the University of California, even from outside the distinct culture of public universities, can learn the position, but not quickly - and clearly not fast enough for our immediate needs, given our serious budget challenges. Fortunately, we have two experienced campus administrators to draw upon until the time is more appropriate to resume our search for a permanent Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. I will shortly be asking the President to seek approval from The Regents for an extension of the appointment of Barbara Horwitz as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor through this calendar year, as well as the appointment of College of Engineering Dean Enrique Lavernia to that position for a three-year term to begin on January 1, 2009. Dean Lavernia would begin phasing into the position of Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor between July and December to ensure the smoothest transition possible. He is a long-time University of California citizen whose considerable administrative experience at both the Irvine and Davis campuses prepares him well for this term appointment. Consultation will begin immediately with the College of Engineering regarding the appointment of an interim dean while Dean Lavernia serves as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. I am grateful to both Barbara Horwitz and Enrique Lavernia for providing such sure and seasoned leadership at a time of unusual challenge for UC Davis. I know they will appreciate your support. Larry N. Vanderhoef Chancellor 08-030
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