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Chancellor Bunnell announces plans to step down from her role at UW-SP: Vice Chancellor Nook to take over in interim roleover in interim role
The Pointer
jglod170@uwsp.edu
Chancellor Linda Bunnell announced on Thursday, April 24 that she plans to step down from her position effective May 31. She was the thirteenth chancellor of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and has served the university for five years.
Bunnell is stepping down after weeks of scrutiny, interrogation and overall investigation into her job as Chancellor and her personal life. This downhill path began on February 17 when Bunnell was involved with a hit-and-run. This highly scrutinized event involved Bunnell hitting a parked car while in Madison and leaving the scene of the accident to attend a speech by Governor Doyle. She later admitted to having ordered drinks at the Madison Club right before the accident as well.
The situation quickly evolved as UW-SP Foundation President Bob Spoerl and Student Government Association President Katie Kloth spoke before the SGA senate on issues and concerns over Bunnell’s leadership ability. Spoerl expressed concern that Bunnell’s actions and expenses may be deterring donors from contributing to the foundation. Kloth expressed concern that Bunnell lacked leadership and failed to meet with her sufficiently. It was at this point that the SGA senate unanimously voted “no confidence” in Chancellor Bunnell.
“Every time there’s that damaged relationship, that’s a seed and that seed sprouts and grows and distributes other situations to other potential donors and spreads that harm, unfortunately, to this university and no one wants to see this university fail,” Spoerl said to the assembly on April 2.
After weeks of ghastly media attention for the university and Bunnell, she chose to step down from her position, announcing the resignation through an e-mail to students, faculty and staff.
“I have been given fulfilling opportunities in my years of service to higher education, and I look forward to many more,” said Bunnell in the e-mail notification. “I have enjoyed my time at UW-SP immensely. I shall enjoy watching it continue to climb to the heights it is so capable of reaching and achieve the recognition it deserves, as it draws students and faculty from across the nation and throughout the world.”
Students reacted differently to the announcement, some expressing their support for her decision to resign.
“I think it’s a good thing that she is resigning just to get the controversy over, get a new chancellor in; hopefully it’ll be someone that’ll do something and not get in trouble also,” said Douglas Arthur, senior.
Other students seemed surprised and indifferent about the decision.
“It seems like she is just running from her problems,” said Alisha Neinfeldt, senior.
Many accomplishments are accredited to the choosing of Bunnell for Chancellor in 2004. The UW-SP enrollment reached new levels as it ascended over the 9,000 student mark. New degrees were developed in biochemistry and health sciences and as new programs were created and are still being pushed for at the UW-System level, such as nursing. She also supported the addition of staff members to the counseling center and academic advising. During Bunnell’s tenure, the UW-SP master plan was passed at the city level, opening up possibilities for expansion and development of the university.
“In her tenure at UW-SP, Chancellor Bunnell has been very good to student affairs,” said Bob Tomlinson, vice chancellor of student affairs. “She has been very supportive of the things we are trying to do for students.”
The search-and-screen process for the next Chancellor of UW-SP won’t be underway at least until this fall to ensure consistent membership and to give the UW System and the UW Board of Regents time to review the position description of the chancellor. Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Mark Nook will be taking the position of interim Chancellor until a permanent one can be named.
“It will be a long process and I wouldn’t expect anyone to be in place until summertime 2010,” said Nook.
Nook has held his current position since 2007. He previous served as the dean of undergraduate affairs at St. Cloud State University. His interim appointment will be brought before the UW Board of Regents in May for official approval.
Nook believes the next step is to find an interim for his own position and move forward with the many programs and proposals at hand.
“We’re kind of getting started,” said Nook. “I’ve know I would be the interim now for a little less than a week. The first thing I’ve got to do is find someone to fill in as the interim vice chancellor of academic affairs. I hope to have that done by the end of this semester so that faculty and staff, especially those that report to this person, know who their supervisor is and will be ready to move forward in the fall.”
Nook plans to push heavily for the addition of a new academic building during his tenure as interim chancellor as well as ensure that the current renovations and developments run smoothly.
“The campus master plan needs to proceed; we’ll keep moving with it,” said Nook. “It’s a good sound, solid plan. We do need a new academic building. That is going to be my highest priority. We’ve got the money for the residence hall, Hyer Hall’s replacement. We’ve got money in the budget, if it gets approved, for the waste management facility. We need to get that taken care of. But long-term, we need this academic building desperately.”
He also expressed support for the continued development of accredited programs and a nursing program at UW-SP.
“We’re going to move ahead with seeking accreditation for our business and economics program and some expansion there into the areas of marketing, management and insurance,” said Nook. “We will also continue to pursue our request for a nursing program.”
Nook is looking to rebuild bridges with the SGA over the course of the next year to rebuild a working relationship after SGA’s vote of “no confidence.”
“I’ve met with student government several times over the last two years,” said Nook. “In fact, I expect to meet with them more often. I think the administration and SGA will have a positive working relationship next year and into the future.”
Nook most looks forward to working with students throughout campus, attending student events, walking throughout the campus and hearing the concerns of the students.
“I am really looking forward to interacting with the students greatly,” said Nook. “Several students know that I am out and about on campus often. I do expect to be seen in the DUC, the library and other academic buildings.”
