News in Brief: Provost Resigns
Provost George McLendon has decided to leave his position after his five-year term ends in June 2015. McLendon is stepping down to concentrate more on teaching and research, according to a March 11 email sent to the Rice community by President David Leebron.
Provost George McLendon has decided to leave his position after his five-year term ends in June 2015. McLendon is stepping down to concentrate more on teaching and research, according to a March 11 email sent to the Rice community by President David Leebron.
According to a letter sent by McLendon on March 12, the administration’s goals for leadership and entrepreneurship have been underrealized during his time as provost, but McLendon hopes returning to a faculty position will help him to promote his goals in both areas.
In Leebron’s email Leebron said he hopes that McLendon will continue to help with the promotion of entrepreneurship and research.
“I have enthusiastically endorsed [McLendon’s goals for his return to the faculty],” Leebron said. “[I have] asked George to assume a leadership role in that area in 2015, while also working over the next year to build additional foundations for that effort.”
According to his letter, McLendon chose to concentrate on “energy, bioscience and international strategies” during his time as provost. He said he feels that Rice has taken many steps forward and is seeing a lot of success in those targeted areas. He also said he has enjoyed his involvement in the Freshman Writing Intensive Seminar program.
According to Leebron’s email, McLendon gave significant notice of his decision to leave the position of provost, which has allowed Leebron time to devise a specific system for the selection of a new provost. First, Leebron plans to appoint a committee of faculty that will formulate a set of priorities for choosing a new provost. This initial committee will also consider potential candidates already at Rice. Leebron then plans to appoint a smaller committee that will use the previously decided upon guidelines to choose a new provost.
McLendon said he has enjoyed his time as Provost, but is excited to get back to teaching.
“I feel very fortunate to have held this leadership position at Rice,” McLendon said. “I now look forward to returning to the best job in any university — a teaching member of the faculty.”
More from The Rice Thresher
Commencement returns to the stadium for Class of 2022
The 109th Convocation ceremony was held in person this past Friday night, with no restrictions on attendance. Hundreds of class of 2022 Rice undergraduates passed under the Sallyport before meeting at Rice football stadium for the ceremony.
SA drafts formal complaint against Chi Alpha after discrimination accusations
The Student Association executive board drafted a formal complaint against the Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship to present to University Court for violation of the SA Constitution nondiscrimination policy that every Rice organization is required to adhere to. This complaint comes in light of the recently published Thresher article, where several students shared their experience with discrimation within the club on the basis of sexual orientation.
OAA expanding divisional advisor program amid growing class sizes
In response to the growing class sizes, the Office of Academic Advising’s Director Christine Martinez said that it will be expanding its divisional advisor program. Each college will be adding three DAs — one in Social Sciences, another in Natural Sciences and the third in Engineering.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.