The University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass CommunicationâÄôs director announced his upcoming resignation in an e-mail sent Wednesday morning. The memo, sent to SJMC faculty, indicated that Al Tims would leave his post in late May. It also pointed to a recent performance review, multiple recipients said. The review mentioned is an annual one, standard across all University programs, conducted by a small salary advisory committee that evaluates faculty membersâÄô and program directorsâÄô performance to assign salaries for the following year. There are no salary increases this year because of the economy, but raises in the future could consider this yearâÄôs performance evaluation. Journalism professor Dan Wackman, who also served on the salary advisory committee after peers nominated him to do so, said the four-member committee finished reviewing Tims on Monday after a âÄúgood, normal discussion.âÄù Copies of the report were distributed to the SJMC, the College of Liberal Arts office and, according to WackmanâÄôs understanding, Tims. The report evaluated TimsâÄô work as an administrator and his leadership of the school, Wackman said. The report was in no way meant to determine whether Tims should keep his position. âÄúIt was a routine, standard review,âÄù Wackman said. âÄúAlâÄôs reaction was surprising to me and every other member of the committee.âÄù Tims was unavailable for comment Wednesday. James Parente, CLA dean, will meet with SJMC faculty Thursday afternoon in a closed meeting to discuss future leadership in the school. Wackman has previously held TimsâÄô position and has stood in for Tims when necessary. As far as an interim director post, Wackman said itâÄôs too early to say. âÄúIâÄôd like Al to change his mind,âÄù Wackman said. âÄúI think a lot of us would.âÄù -Karlee Weinmann is a senior staff reporter.