A Period of Transition

2003-2004 Annual Report

Brian C. Mitchell, former president of Washington & Jefferson College, was named Bucknell’s 16th president last March, succeeding Steffen Rogers, who had earlier announced his intention to retire in June 2004. One of President Mitchell’s first tasks was to begin a national search to find a new provost, following the resignation of Steve Bowen last spring. The provost will be a pivotal position at Bucknell, serving as the chief academic officer and second in command to the president.

Other leadership changes also have occurred. Since becoming president, President Mitchell has undertaken a reorganization of his office and staff, appointing Kathy Martin as executive assistant to the president and assistant secretary to the Board of Trustees and Jerry Rackoff as director of planning and institutional research with the responsibility of coordinating renewed strategic planning efforts on campus. In addition, senior administrators now function as a University Policy Group, focusing on issues of university policy, strategic planning, and constituency relations. Additional administrators were added to a University Operations Group that is responsible for budget and operational issues.

Some of the first tasks of the new administration follow the recent re-accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. To assure continued progress on priorities identified by the university, the commission has requested a monitoring report that documents developments regarding faculty and trustee governance structures by April 1, 2005. A progress letter, to be submitted by Oct. 1, 2005, will document what has been accomplished in developing a new strategic plan, including a review of Bucknell’s mission statement and completion of an institutional assessment plan. The university has already taken steps to address those issues.