VCU provost reassigned; no reason given

[Blue_Tires]

Virginia Commonwealth University's provost will step down from the university's top academic post on April 1 but will remain at VCU with other responsibilities.

No reason was given for the change in duties for Stephen D. Gottfredson, VCU's vice president for academic affairs.

VCU President Michael Rao said Gottfredson will assist the university with reaccreditation, strategic planning and the development of an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program during the next year.

He will become a professor in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs in the 2011-12 academic year, Rao said in an e-mail message to the university community.

An interim provost will be named within the next few days, and a national search will be undertaken to find a new provost, Rao said.

Gottfredson was named interim provost and vice president for academic affairs in July 2004 and confirmed to the position the following April. He came to VCU in 1997 as dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences.

VCU spokeswoman Pam Lepley said she could not give a reason for the change in duties other than that "vice presidents serve at the pleasure of the president."

Gottfredson could not be reached for comment.

This is the second major leadership change since Rao became president July 1. Sue Ann Messmer, who had worked at VCU for 38 years, retired Feb. 1 as vice president for university relations and chief of staff to the president.

Wayne M. Turnage succeeded her as chief of staff on Jan. 16. Turnage, who had served as chief of staff for Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, was not named a vice president, however.

In his role as provost, Gottfredson coordinates academic policies and is responsible for all academic proceedings and programs.

Last week, he held a series of forums on campus that drew 1,000 people to discuss Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's opinion that public colleges and universities cannot add sexual orientation to their anti-bias policies without approval by the General Assembly.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/VCUU16_20100315-215702/330597/