As the two-year term for Interim Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services Russell Carey '91 MA'06 nears its end, the University will begin a national search next month for a candidate to permanently fill the position.
Carey was appointed in the summer of 2006, after David Greene resigned to become vice president for strategic initiatives at the University of Chicago. President Ruth Simmons told The Herald in September 2006 that Carey, who has been at the University for almost two decades, was more "deeply committed" to Brown.
Though his appointment is temporary, Simmons gave Carey full authority as head of campus life to ensure that campus life initiatives continue smoothly. Simmons also said last year that a two-year term would allow time for student input in the search for a permanent head of campus life.
Undergraduate Council of Students President Michael Glassman '08 said he would meet with Simmons next week to discuss opportunities for student involvement in the search. In addition to having students on the search committee, Glassman said he would like to hold forums where students can discuss what they want to see in the head of campus life.
The search committee has not yet been appointed, but the process is slated to begin in November, according to UCS Student Activities Chair Drew Madden '10.
Carey did not comment on whether he would apply for the position, but Herald opinions columist Zachary Townsend '08, former UCS vice president and currently a student representative on the University Resources Committee, said administrators told him "they'd be shocked if Russell didn't get it," Townsend said.
Townsend added that Carey has expressed his support for the idea of a national search.
Several other administrators, including Greene, were appointed to their positions after serving interim terms. Margaret Klawunn was appointed dean for student life in 2005 after holding the position temporarily during the 2004-2005 academic year.
According to Townsend, students on the search committee for the dean for student life said they received many applications for the position. Though the University ultimately chose Klawunn to fill the role, Townsend said these students told him the search process was a "serious operation" and that other candidates were seriously considered.
