Dear colleagues:
 
I am delighted to announce that Scott Coltrane, dean of the University of Oregon's College of Arts and Sciences, has accepted my invitation to serve in an interim role as the UO's senior vice president and provost beginning July 1.
 
He will succeed Jim Bean, who will leave his current position of senior vice president and provost at the end of June, to return to the Lundquist College of Business. Dean Coltrane will serve in the interim position as we conduct a nationwide search for a permanent senior vice president and provost.
 
I would like to thank all those who submitted nominations to fill this interim position and I'd especially like to extend my appreciation to members of the Faculty Advisory Council who served as the selection advisory committee for this appointment.
 
The provost is the UO's chief academic officer, heading our academic programs and overseeing the quality of our teaching and research. The provost ensures that we maintain a high quality faculty by providing leadership in appointments, promotions, working conditions and tenure.
 
Dean Coltrane has served since 2008 as the head of our College of Arts and Sciences. He has also served as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and has extensive experience and familiarity with the fundamental issues facing our entire university – from the growth of recent years, to the space and staffing issues we are currently addressing, to facilitating our research mission.
 
A prominent sociologist, Dean Coltrane’s own research has focused in part on families and fatherhood and the domestic divisions of labor and gender inequality. Prior to joining the UO in 2008, he served for 20 years in a variety of teaching, research and administrative positions at the University of California at Riverside.
 
Please join me in congratulating Scott Coltrane and welcoming him to his interim role as senior vice president and provost.
 
Sincerely,
 
Michael R. Gottfredson