UA president Mark Hamilton said he knew that they would soon be on the search for a new chancellor when Chancellor Stephen Jones put photos of his grandchildren up on the projector at fall convocation. He’d seen this before. Hamilton said he’s lost three chancellors to grandchildren.
Since the fall, the Joneses, Chancellor Steve and his wife, Judy, have been considering a move. Jones said that they thought about leaving in August when his daughter went into early labor and it took Judy Jones two days to get to there. “We didn’t realize how powerful of a pull the grandkids would be,” he said.
He said his official resignation was timed so that the new administration would be able to look for someone to fill his position. Jones made Hamilton and a few other administrators aware of their decision in the fall.
Looking back on his years at UAF, Jones said, “I feel good about the things we’ve accomplished,” he said. Jones played a large part in establishing UAF as “America’s Arctic University.” A UAF press release said that Jones’ focus on philanthropy has helped the university increase overall giving by 45 percent. Jones’ term as chancellor isn’t unusually brief considering the university’s recent history. The last chancellor was in for five years.
Jones is looking to other universities for his next job. Minnesota State University Moorhead listed him as one of the top contenders for university president on their website. His interview dates were listed as Mar. 27 and 28.
Hamilton said he’s been pleased with Jones’ performance and of his future plans, “he’ll do fine.”
In the search for another head of UAF, Hamilton, who has the ultimate authority to appoint an interim wants to look within the state, or within the university. Hamilton pointed out that UAF is different from a lot of institutions and that having someone “who understands Alaska” would be helpful. He also said he would prefer having a chancellor who would stick around for a long time.
Ultimately, it is up to Hamilton to choose the interim, but he has been discussing it with people all over campus.
Regent Mary Hughes explained the idea behind the interim selection process. “The idea of an interim is to get someone in quickly who can provide leadership and stability to the institution while decisions about a permanent solution are made,” she said in an e-mail interview.
There is even a possibility that the temporary replacement could become permanent. Hamilton said, “If we pick the right person for two years, we’ll stay with the one we’ve got.”
Hamilton is looking for someone who will stay longer than a few years and he said that a candidate from Alaska would be more likely to do that. He also said that it would make the transition process easier to have someone that is familiar with the area and culture. Vice Chancellor, Ro Bailey agrees. She said there is “value to having people who understand the University of Alaska,” in the chancellor’s position.
General consensus through the university was that understanding UAF and Alaska were important to who is chosen as the next chancellor. Jake Hamburg, ASUAF president, had some other concerns as well. “The next chancellor needs to communicate with students,” he said. Hamburg said it is also important that the chancellor considers more thoroughly issues that are important to students, like sustainable development.
According to the division of finance, Jones pay was $265,938 in 2007. He’s one of the top-paid officials at the University. Kate Ripley, of UA public affairs said that the new chancellor’s salary won’t be the exact same as Jones’s. It will be negotiated.