M E M O R A N D U M

							June 29, 2010

To:		Members of the Board of Trustees

From:		Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject:	Appointment of Dr. Donald P. Christian as Interim President at the State University of New York at New Paltz

	I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Resolved that the appointment of Dr. Donald P. Christian as Interim President of the State University of New York at New Paltz, at a State salary of $200,000 effective July 1, 2010, be and hereby is, approved.  This appointment will continue until July 1, 2011 or until such time as the Board of Trustees, by resolution, appoints a successor, whichever is later.

Background

	I recommend that Dr. Donald P. Christian be appointed Interim President of the State University of New York at New Paltz.  

        A highly respected member of the SUNY New Paltz community, Dr. Christian has been serving, since 2009, as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor in the Department of Biology.  As Provost and Vice President, Christian serves as the college�s chief academic officer, is a member of the President�s executive management team, and assumes the responsibilities of chief executive in the President�s absence.
        
        Prior to his arrival at New Paltz, Dr. Christian was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for five years.� As Dean, Dr. Christian led efforts at campus, state, and national levels to advance understanding of the value of a liberal education in a knowledge-driven 21st century society; strengthened student-faculty research programs; and supported projects to enhance equity and diversity on the campus.� Previously (1997-2004), he served as associate dean for the Biological Sciences at the University of Montana where he was also professor.   Dr. Christian held many positions at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (1978-1997), including chair and professor in the Biology Department and director of graduate studies in the Biology Graduate Program. After completing his Ph. D. at Michigan State University in 1977, he worked there for one year as an instructor in the Department of Zoology and curator of mammals at the college�s museum.

	Dr. Christian received his bachelor of science with high honors in wildlife biology (1971), his masters from the department of zoology (1973), and ultimately his doctorate in zoology (1977) from Michigan State University.  He is the recipient of numerous awards, honors, research grants and contracts, and has published widely in various journals.

	Dr. Christian would serve from July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011 or until such time as the Board of Trustees, by resolution, appoints his successor, whichever is later.  

	A copy of Dr. Christian�s resume is attached.

Attachment



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Board Resolution		June 29, 2010