WKU President Gary Ransdell says the elimination of a senior administration level position at the school will help balance the campus budget this year.
Vice President for Research Gordon Baylis sent an email to WKU faculty and staff Sunday announcing that his position had been eliminated, and that he was returning to his faculty position at the Department of Psychological Sciences.
In an email to employees Monday afternoon, President Ransdell said a portion of the money being saved by the job elimination would balance the school’s budget, while the remaining part will be redirected to the Office of the Provost to recreate the school’s research leadership.
"To be clear, this does not signal a de-emphasis of research at WKU, rather it signals a greater engagement of the Division of Academic Affairs in the management of research activity at WKU," Ransdell said in his email. "With this action, undergraduate and graduate research will become a central function of Academic Affairs, reporting directly to the Provost. Effective immediately, the Provost will have signatory authority on research-related matters, and the Office of Sponsored Programs and other related research units will report to him.
Ransdell has tasked Provost Gordon Emslie to lead an effort to recommend by April 1 a research structure the school will use moving forward. "Once a new research infrastructure has been approved, the Provost will be free to fill the yet-to-be-determined lead research position for WKU. Whatever title is used going forward, the position will be part of Academic Affairs and will be at a salary level similar to a Dean rather than a Vice President," Ransdell said.
