Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs to remain for the next academic year

This coming June, Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Alfred J.Guillaume, Jr., planned on being a retired man. However, due to unforeseen circumstances he was asked to stay on an additional year.

Indiana University has a policy that once upper-level administrative faculty reach the age of 65 they are asked to either retire from their position or return to the university in a professional capacity, as a professor for instance.

Guillaume found himself in exactly this position and had chosen the retirement route after serving as Executive Vice Chancellor of IUSB for 13 years.

"I'd already been preparing, mentally and emotionally, to leave by the end of the summer—by mid-summer—now I have to readjust my gears." Guillaume said.

He was asked to stay on as executive vice chancellor due to the fact that there are currently two interim Deans serving at IUSB for the coming 2012-2013 academic year.

One of those positions belonged to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Mary Jo Regan-Kubinski, who passed away unexpectedly last October.

The second interim position belonged to Dean Michael Horvath, Dean of the School of Education, who left to accept a higher position at a different university

The possibility of having three interim administrative officials in one academic year worried the remaining Deans. This prompted them to contact IU South Bend Chancellor Una Mae Reck to voice their concerns.

"They approached me and asked to have Dr. Guillaume's extension. I thought about it, and to me it made sense." Reck said.

The next step that Reck had to take was to contact IU President Michael McRobbie and Executive Vice President John Applegate about the situation and receive their approval. Both agreed to approve keeping Guillaume for another year.

"It [Guillaume's extension] will help maintain the stability of the campus during the transition period." Reck said of the decision.

In order to understand how it will maintain stability it is important to understand the role that the Vice Chancellor plays.

"My role as the Vice Chancellor is to oversee this whole, this enterprise we call academics; the faculty, the curriculum, the academic support, the academic centers—such as the library and the technology—that's my role. And my role is to protect the integrity of the university, and make sure that there are high standards across the university." Guillaume said

However, that barely scratched the surface of his responsibilities.

"But, I have to also manage budget!" He added.

With so many responsibilities, and his vast knowledge of the university and faculty, it's not difficult to see the brand of stability that Guillaume would lend to IUSB by retaining his position for another academic year.

Guillaume will continue to serve as Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs until June of 2013, at which time his position will be filled by an interim member.

For an exclusive extended video interview with Executive Vice Chancellor Guillaume, visit www.iusbpreface.com.