by Andie Diemer
Sept. 28, 2008

Elon has hired a search consultant to help wade through the more than 40 applications already received for the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The search is underway after Gerry Francis, the current provost and vice president, announced his move to the office of executive vice president.

Elon created a Provost Search Committee compromised of faculty, staff and students to ensure students have a say in the new provost.

Tom Henricks, professor of sociology, and Paul Parsons, dean of the School of Communications, are co-chairs of the committee.

In early September, the committee hosted three faculty and staff forums to help develop a better understanding of the expectations for the new provost.

“This is the recruitment period right now,” Parsons said. “The search consultant is contacting individuals and taking queries from them and we’re sort of in this pattern until late October when the committee will review the applications to date and select about six or more for preliminary interviews.”

The committee expects to receive  somewhere between 80 and 100 applications.

The provost oversees academic affairs, admissions and financial planning, student life, intercollegiate athletics, institutional research, sponsored programs and cultural affairs and also serves as assistant secretary and treasurer of the Board of Trustees.

Caroline Fox contributed to this article.