High-ranking student life official left in June

Patricia Kaurouma, the former associate vice provost for student affairs, resigned this summer just eight months after assuming her newly-created post. The Student Affairs division and Kaurouma's position were created last year by Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson as part of a restructuring of the University Life division. In her short tenure at the University, Kaurouma oversaw the Judicial Inquiry Office, Student Activities and Facilities, Student Life Programs, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, the University Counseling Service, Student Health Service and the Drug and Alcohol Resource Center. Morrisson said last night that Kaurouma left the University at the end of June because she was no longer interested in student affairs. She declined to comment directly on Kaurouma's tenure, but said the post demands "a great deal of attention and care" and that the administrator "needs to be fully committed." Morrisson said she will begin a search this fall to replace Kaurouma. Barbara Cassel, formerly executive assistant to Morrisson, has filled the vacancy since July. Before coming to the University last November, Kaurouma served as the associate dean for students affairs and director of the Office of Minority Education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kaurouma could not be reached for comment last night. Morrisson has been restructuring the University Life division for about one year. She said she hopes to hire an associate vice provost for residential living by the end of the academic year. She also plans to hire an associate vice provost for academic support and educational programs. Morrisson said the searches will include both internal and external candidates. Cassel declined to comment on whether she would apply to keep her current post. She has been at the University since 1976, and joined the University Life division four years ago.

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