Provost search progressing smoothly

The search for the University's next chief academic officer is proceeding according to schedule, according to University officials.

University President Amy Gutmann hopes to announce her selection by the end of the spring semester, as she originally said earlier this year. The provost search committee is currently reviewing candidates, who will then be presented to Gutmann for a final decision.

Interim Provost Peter Conn assumed his current position in late July, after former Provost Robert Barchi announced he would step down on Sept. 1, 2004 to become president of Thomas Jefferson University Medical School.

Although Gutmann has made a number of internal appointments since she assumed the role of president in July, she has remained decidedly tight-lipped as to whether Conn will be promoted to a permanent position. They assure that both internal and external candidates are being equally considered for the post.

The Provost Search Committee, comprised of faculty and students, was formed in September to advise Gutmann on her ultimate decision.

While details of the status of the committee's progress are confidential, Gutmann did comment on the ideal characteristics for a potential provost.

"I am looking for somebody who is an eminent scholar and teacher, who is judicious and energetic, who works collaboratively with the deans and the Executive Vice President and can help me move Penn forward," Gutmann said.

As Chair of the Provost Selection Committee, Arthur Rubenstein, the Dean of the Medical School and Executive Vice President for the Health System, expressed expectations similar to that of Gutmann.

"We're looking for an academic leader of incredible credentials," Rubenstein said, "someone who can deal with a lot of complexities which are inherent in this position."

Rubenstein also noted that the final decision is the personal choice of the president, as a result of the especially intimate relationship between the two positions.

"This is like her number-two person," Rubenstein said.

Barchi echoed Rubenstein's sentiments.

"The provost and the president must work hand-in-hand and must be alter egos in their thinking about where the campus is going and the direction that one should take on various issues," he said.

"Not that there shouldn't be a dynamic tension there but they have to be a well-matched pair," he added.

Barchi also stressed the importance of the provost being a strong leader.

"As provost, you can't demand or order that things be done, you have to convince and lead people" in a particular direction, Barchi said.

"Leading from the front, pulling rather than pushing ... is a special skill in a setting as complicated as the University of Pennsylvania."

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