New acting provost appointed

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BY President Peter George

October 4, 2006

In my letter to you just over a week ago I promised to keep the campus community up to date about our plan to appoint an acting provost.

I am pleased to inform you that Bob McNutt has agreed to serve as acting provost, beginning on October 15 and continuing until July 1, 2007, or until a new provost is in place.

Bob's appointment has been approved by both Senate Executive and the Executive of the Board of Governors. An external search consultant has already been hired to work with the Ad Hoc Selection Committee of Senate that was appointed earlier to assist in the search for a provost. This search will be internal as well as national and international in scope.

Bob is well known at McMaster. A former dean of Science and faculty member for more than 30 years, he left the University to become principal of the University of Toronto at Mississauga.

After retiring from UTM, he returned to McMaster in 2005 as acting chair of Modern Languages and Linguistics and as an advisor to the provost on the development of McMaster's campus in Burlington.

He is currently acting dean of the Faculty of Humanities, and we hope to announce the appointment of a new acting dean of the Faculty shortly.

Bob is well respected and brings tremendous experience and ability to the role of acting provost. While he will assume the numerous responsibilities of the Office of the Provost, he has been given three priorities:

  • develop the three-year budget plan to reach financial stability while achieving the University's academic mission;
  • oversee the development and implementation of graduate enrolment expansion plans to maximize increased operating and capital funding for graduate enrolment growth; and
  • explore academic restructuring to enhance quality and cost effectiveness in the long term.

    Achieving these goals will require the input and participation of people from across campus, and I know Bob is looking forward to feedback from faculty, staff and students as strategic action plans are developed.

    I would like to thank Bob for his willingness to assume the role of acting provost. I would also like to extend my sincerest thanks to Fred A. Hall, who will continue to be responsible for the Office of the Provost until Bob's appointment takes effect.