Kathlene Campbell, Dean of the School of Education, spoke and answered questions about the universities Executive Vice President and Provost search, which she heads the search committee for. Harry Potter Club was unanimously approved, and changes to Public Safety uniforms were discussed at the Undergraduate Student Government general council meeting on April 8.
Executive Vice President and Provost search
The university is searching for a new Executive Vice President and Provost. The search committee for the position has received its applicants and will begin narrowing them down with the goal to fill the position by August.
“This person really is going to have to guide us into a new decade and help us grow as well as retain what I think all of us would say is what makes St Thomas so special,” Campbell said.
Campbell said the committee is looking for candidates who have been in leadership roles and have been at similar sized schools. Campbell also said the committee will focus on someone who will promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
“It’s really important to make sure you have someone who’s organized, who can communicate well, someone who is student focused, and someone who really understands finances,” Campbell said. “You want someone who will stand up when you have to stand up to say, ‘Nope, we need to fight for students a little bit more.’”
The new Executive Vice President and Provost will work on internal problems within the university, work closely with the Chief Financial Officer, Mark Vangsgard, and the budget as well as accommodate student needs. With the move to Division I, the leader will have to support student athletes in working with their schedules and making sure there is still an academic focus.
The Executive Vice President and Provost search committee will be holding forums in the future to get student input on the future hire.
Harry Potter Club
USG unanimously approved the Harry Potter Club to become a new on campus club. The club will focus on recruiting students who are passionate about Harry Potter.
“The mission of Harry Potter club is to bring together similar minded individuals and create a comfortable atmosphere to discuss and partake in events related to the Harry Potter franchise,” sophomore Karlyn Gahnz said.
The club will host Harry Potter themed game nights and movie viewings. Club leaders also plan to do volunteer work like shoveling snow and working with senior citizens, Karlyn Gahnz said.
Public Safety
In an effort to differentiate St. Thomas Public Safety from police, Minneapolis campus public safety will be changing its uniforms to appear “softer,” Executive Vice President & Interim VP of Financial Affairs Adam Revoir said. This change may be extended to public safety officers on the St. Paul campus but, for the time being, will remain a Minneapolis campus change.
Finance Requests
USG unanimously approved the Office of Sustainability Initiatives request for $655 for EcoChallenge event prizes.
Scout Mason can be reached at scmason@stthomas.edu.