Faculty: Provost will be missed

As the University prepares for Provost Michael Aiken's departure to the University of Illinois, many faculty members and administration officials said they hate to see him go. "It's a great loss to the University," said Molecular Biology Professor Emeritus Robert Davies. "We will miss him enormously." The University of Illinois announced Friday that Aiken will become the chancellor of Illinois' Champaign-Urbana campus on July 1, pending approval by their Board of Trustees. President Sheldon Hackney said in a statement Friday that Aiken's departure will not be easy for the University. "Saying goodbye to Michael Aiken will indeed be a bittersweet occasion," said Hackney. "His management and planning abilities have made an invaluable contribution to Penn over the last eight years." Louise Shoemaker, past chairperson of the faculty senate, said she has mixed emotions about Aiken's recent appointment. "I was delighted for him, but I'm disappointed to see him leave," Shoemaker said. "I think Mike Aiken was a very good provost. He is very fair and very faculty and University oriented." Before Aiken was named provost in 1987, he was dean of the School of Arts and Sciences for three years and a sociology professor for one year. As provost, Aiken created the Undergraduate Initiatives Fund to enhance undergraduate instruction, as well as other programs to increase educational quality and efficiency at the University. "I think it's great that somebody recognized a great mind," said Faculty Senate Chairperson David Hildebrand. Some members of the faculty said they think it will be difficult to find a new provost who will be as concerned with their issues as Aiken is. "[Aiken] is vitally interested in the welfare of the faculty," said Almarin Phillips, emeritus professor of public policy and management. "He's a good provost generally, and I'm really sorry that Michael will be leaving." Hackney said that a search committee will be formed in order to find a replacement for Aiken by this summer. Members of the University's faculty and administration -- as well as candidates from outside the University -- will be considered for the position. Davies said that the next provost should share some of Aiken's best qualities. "I think that someone with the same attitudes [as Aiken] about the future and Penn would be great for the University," Davies said. (CUT LINE) Please see PROVOST, page 2 PROVOST, from page 1 No H&J; required. Do not bother inserting ! -- Michael ' Saying goodbye to Michael Aiken will indeed be a bittersweet occasion. ' Sheldon Hackney President

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