News

UM president considers KSU

Kennedy may leave Maine for position at Kansas State

Posted on Jan. 26, 2009, at 12:00 a.m.

Dr. Robert Kennedy, president of the University of Maine, is one of three finalists contending to head Kansas State University after its president decided to retire last year. It is unknown whether Kennedy will accept the position if he is chosen as the final candidate.

Kansas State announced May 12 that its president, Jon Wefald, will retire at the end of the 2008-2009 academic year. Kennedy is scheduled to be interviewed at Kansas State on Monday, Jan. 26.

“My understanding of presidential searches is that they typically move fairly quickly,” said Dianne Hoff, president of the UMaine Faculty Senate. Hoff said she believed a decision could be expected between Tuesday and Thursday of this week.

The other two candidates are Dr. Kirk H. Schulz, vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University, and Dr. Steve Ballard, chancellor of East Carolina University.

“I certainly understand that a person has to make a choice that’s best for him in terms of a career; you can’t fault people for doing that,” Hoff said. “Is this a tough time to have our campus in transition? Absolutely. With the budget we’re facing, with a chancellor proposing a transformational change. I would hope that if Bob Kennedy accepts this position that we put someone at the helm who really can do the job and be an advocate for this campus because this is a very tough time to be without leadership.”

Hoff is unsure who would replace Kennedy.

An incoming president needs time to prepare a university for its fall semester, which makes it difficult to negotiate an employment start date much later than July 1.

“Often times the start date for a new president is negotiated with the person who they extend the offer [to],” Hoff said. “If they have a sitting president who’s going to retire, say, at the end of this year, they may want the person to come July 1.”

The presidential search committee at Kansas State expects the new president to assume office on or about July 1, according to its press release. If Kennedy chooses to leave UMaine, the university system chancellor will select his replacement.

“He’s very hesitant to leave Maine . he’s very conflicted,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Robert Dana. “I’ve discussed it with him . he’s giving it a lot of thought.”

Kansas State is a campus twice the size of UMaine, Dana said. “He’s very connected here, so it’s a very difficult decision to look elsewhere.”

Director of University Relations at UMaine, Joe Carr, said he did not know what the president will decide if he is selected as the final choice for Kansas State’s president.

“It’s a critical time; I think Bob Kennedy, to his credit, will be very sensitive about that. I think he will consider, very carefully, this offer; and also I don’t think [he] wants to do something to harm this campus,” Hoff said.

Campus Currents: Robert Kennedy