Robert Elde, dean of the College of Biological Sciences, will be the first of five candidates to come out on campus vying for the position of University of Minnesota senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Elde will take part in an on-campus public forum from 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday in Keller Hall 3-180.

The academic affairs provost oversees all academics at the University.

Current Provost Tom Sullivan announced in February that he would leave his position by the end of the year and return to the UniversityâÄôs Law School as a faculty member.

Students can participate in a question and answer session with each candidate who will be announced the day prior to their presentation. Students will then have the chance to fill out an online evaluation on the provost search website.

University President Eric Kaler will review feedback before making his recommendation to the Board of Regents.

Elde received his Ph.D. in anatomy from the University in 1974. According to his résumé, he has been a professor in the UniversityâÄôs Medical School since 1999.

The provost search committee anticipates the new provost could be chosen by October, according to its website. The rest of the forums are:

·         3:30-5 p.m., Sept. 14, Keller Hall 3-180

·         1:30-3 p.m., Sept. 15, Campus Club (Rooms A, B and C)
Located on the fourth floor of Coffman Union

·         3:30-5 p.m., Sept. 19,  Keller Hall 3-180

·         3:30-5 p.m., Sept. 20, Keller Hall 3-180