New provost hoped to be in place by July 1, Eisgruber says

As the president-elect of the University, Christopher Eisgruber ’83 has a list of tasks including selecting a new provost. Though Eisgruber said he has not yet begun the selection process, he hopes that the new provost will be in place by the time he leaves the position to become president on July 1.

Eisgruber, the second-longest serving provost at the University, was appointed by President Shirley Tilghman in 2004. He is the University’s 11th provost since the position was created during the 1966-67 academic year.

The provost serves directly under the president as the chief academic and chief budgetary officer. The position involves the financial planning and coordination of the University’s academic initiatives.

Among other duties, the provost chairs the Academic Planning Group and the Priorities Committee, which evaluates the University’s operating budget. He or she also regularly meets with the University Research Board and the Faculty Advisory Committee on Appointments and Advancements, consisting of 11 top University administrators who determine professor tenures.

According to Eisgruber, the University’s process for finding a provost is informal. The University does not form a selection committee; rather, the president himself appoints the provost, accepting suggestions and nominations from colleagues.

When asked if he will nominate a colleague with whom he has worked in the past, Eisgruber said he is open to all options as long as the candidate satisfies his desired qualities.

“The important thing is to find somebody who appreciates all sectors of the University, somebody who is capable of being a good administrator and a good manager, somebody who has the values of this University thoroughly at heart and somebody who can work very closely with me and with other colleagues in the cabinet as well as with the faculty and staff throughout the University,” he explained.

Eisgruber also noted that he would prefer appointing someone who currently works at the University.

Eisgruber’s predecessor as provost was Amy Gutmann, who left the position to become president of the University of Pennsylvania.

Before selecting Eisgruber, who received an A.B. in physics at the University and a law degree from the University of Chicago, Tilghman said she had hoped to find someone from the social science or humanities. However, Eisgruber did not indicate that he is looking for a provost from a specific discipline.