A new structure for functions previously administered through the vice provost for academic affairs’ office will take effect Monday, Sept. 22, and will provide a streamlined approach to a variety of academic and faculty support services. The changes are related to the academic restructuring announced last fall by Missouri S&T Chancellor Cheryl B. Schrader as part of the university’s strategic planning initiatives. That restructuring included the creation of the College of Arts, Sciences and Business and College of Engineering and Computing.

Under the new structure, five positions formerly reporting to the vice provost of academic affairs will be redeployed. One staff member will join the College of Engineering and Computing to coordinate financial affairs; three staff positions will move to the department of human resources services, affirmative action, diversity and inclusion to provide additional assistance for faculty recruitment and hiring; and one position will move to the office of Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Robert Marley to coordinate faculty promotion and tenure and faculty awards, and provide support to the Missouri S&T Faculty Senate.

The new structure also eliminates the vice provost for academic affairs office, as outlined in the strategic structural changes announced last fall. No staff members in the academic affairs office lost their jobs as a result of the reorganization, though one currently vacant position will be eliminated, reducing the number of positions for academic affairs from seven to five.

In addition, Dr. Philip Whitefield, who has served as interim vice provost for academic affairs, will return to his former duties as chair of chemistry. Dr. Klaus Woelk, who served as interim chair of chemistry, will return to his role as assistant chair in the department.

The structural changes are the result of months of review by several members of the campus community who served on restructuring committees and task forces. “I would like to thank all of the faculty and staff who served on one or more of these advisory groups to help us determine the best organizational structure to serve our needs in academic affairs,” says Marley. “This new structure will streamline several processes while also providing greater support to all academic units across campus.”