President is exploring options for single vice president

President Robert Zeigler said today that he is “exploring options at this point” concerning hiring a vice president for academic success.

He said he planned to discuss the issue at a closed Faculty Senate meeting that he requested this afternoon, but he is not ready to make any decisions.

Zeigler said the meeting was closed to the public because personnel would be discussed.

He described the Faculty Senate meeting as an “an update in information session.”

Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student affairs, has been assuming the duties of the vice president for academic affairs position since July 2.

On June 28, the position became vacant when Dr. Jessica Howard left the college to become president of the Southeast Campus of Portland Community College.

During an Adjunct Faculty Council meeting Tuesday, Chair Jerry Townsend, media communications adjunct, said he heard the college president was considering returning to an administrative model using an executive vice president rather than two vice presidents.

He said he understood that Zeigler was seeking input from campus groups on the advisability of Vela becoming the executive vice president position and doing both jobs under that title.

Zeigler told The Ranger today it was just a rumor, and he is looking at all options.

A search for a vice president of academic affairs ended Sept. 30, and Zeigler said this week he had not notified everyone chosen to be on the selection committee.