The Board of Regents unanimously approved the appointment of four new University administrators while saying good-bye to outgoing University President Mark Yudof at its meeting last week.

Regents officially named Joel Maturi athletics director and Christine Maziar provost. They also approved J. Brian Atwood as Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs dean and Dr. Deborah Powell as dean of the University Medical School.

Both Yudof and interim University President Robert Bruininks recommended the appointments.

“I’ve felt like I was running the largest employment agency in the world,” Bruininks said.

Maziar’s duties begin Monday, and Maturi is scheduled to take office in August. Atwood and Powell will begin their positions in October.

To fill the roles vacated by her promotion, Maziar named David Hamilton, currently assistant vice president of the Graduate School, as interim vice president of research. She also appointed Victor Bloomfield, associate dean of the Graduate School, to an interim dean position. Both will start in their new roles Monday.

“I don’t anticipate any hiccups with the interim appointments,” Maziar said.

A search for Maziar’s permanent replacement will occur after the new University president is in office, Maziar said.

This month’s meeting was the last Yudof will attend, since he will become chancellor of the University of Texas System next month.

“The board greatly appreciates all (Mark and Judy Yudof) have done,” said Board Chairwoman Maureen Reed. “We wish them the best and extend our sincere thanks for their many contributions to the University.”

Yudof will officially leave the presidency July 31. Bruininks will take over August 1 but will have full presidential authority while Yudof is in China later this month.

Translational Research Facility and
stadium funding

The board approved a $600,000 internal loan to the Academic Health Center for completion of the Translational Research Facility’s pre-design, intending to have the project included in an upcoming capital bonding bill.

“It would show that this is an important priority for the institution,” said Gregory Fox, interim vice president for University Services.

The internal loan will be repaid by the health center and will be borrowed from the University’s central funds, said Richard Pfutzenreuter, University chief financial officer.

The board also voted to increase the University’s budget by $500,000 for the completion of schematic plans for a joint Gophers/Vikings football stadium.

The University received the $500,000 from a stadium account created by the state Legislature in May. Proceeds from the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, a state commission that operates the Metrodome, fill the account.

The finished stadium designs will be presented to the Legislature for funding approval by Dec. 1.

In other regent news

The Finance and Operations Committee began the search for a new financial system to replace its current system. The controller’s office will provide the committee with two alternatives no later than November and begin implementation by July 2003.

Fox delivered a report to the Facilities Committee describing some of the new control measures that have been applied to the University’s construction process. An audit report discussed at June’s board meeting recommended more than 70 process improvements.

The Audit Committee reviewed the University’s audit process, used to evaluate the institution’s central and collegiate units.

The Faculty, Staff and Student Affairs Committee approved a grievance policy change that will allow past faculty members to bring complaints against the University.

Brad Unangst welcomes comments at [email protected]