David K. Lavallee Agrees to Remain as SUNY Provost Beyond Interim Period Amid State Budget Challenges

Albany – State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher today nominated David K. Lavallee to permanently fill the post of Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost after having served in an interim capacity for the past eight months. Lavallee has agreed to remain as Provost for an additional two- year period, ending June 30, 2012.

“We are so grateful to Dr. Lavallee for agreeing to remain on the job during this critical time in SUNY’s history,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “I have come to rely on David’s wisdom and depth of understanding for the system and for our individual campuses. His excellent work on student mobility and other important academic issues can now continue, as SUNY implements its new strategic plan and works to directly address the fiscal concerns that surround the State of New York.”

As the burden of impending budget reductions are shared at the system level as well as on the campuses across the state, the search currently underway for a permanent provost has been suspended. This decision is due in part to the difficult fiscal environment as well as the newly developed possibility for Dr. Lavallee to remain in the role.

"As the search progressed, it became increasingly apparent that the most impressive potential provost was already hard at work in the service of SUNY,” said Carl T. Hayden, chair of the SUNY Board of Trustees. “How sweet and simple it was to recommend stripping the word ‘interim’ from the title of Interim Provost David Lavallee. This is a designation he has earned many times over and I commend the Chancellor for her success in persuading Provost Lavallee to extend his term of service to SUNY."

“When I first began as interim provost, I did so with the understanding that the appointment would be short lived as the search for a permanent provost began,” said Lavallee. “At that time, I had made the difficult decision to change course and not return to my love of teaching after having served as provost at SUNY New Paltz for a decade. However, given the pivotal moment at which SUNY stands right now, I could not feel more compelled to give of myself for the benefit of the system. Staying on as provost is the least I can do for the students, faculty and staff that have changed my life for so many years in these difficult times.”

The appointment will be confirmed at the next meeting of the SUNY Board of Trustees scheduled for June 29, 2010. One year later, the search for a new permanent provost will re-open.

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The following statements were provided by the chief operating officer, the chair of the University Faculty Senate, and members of the Provost Search Committee, respectively, in support of the nomination of David K. Lavallee:

Monica Rimai, senior vice chancellor and chief operating officer said: "David has been an ideal partner in a myriad of shared issues," said Monica Rimai, senior vice chancellor and chief operating officer. "His staying on the job will ensure that efforts to streamline operations throughout SUNY will continue successfully. I thank David for agreeing to give more of his time and appreciate the value he will add to the University."

Kenneth O’Brien, chair of the University Faculty Senate said: "Dr. David Lavallee was a great choice as interim provost last fall, as has been demonstrated by the remarkable progress we have made on student mobility, the SUNY Assessment Initiative and the modest revision of the SUNY General Education Requirement under his leadership. He is experienced, thoughtful, and a strong believer in shared governance. I speak for all my colleagues when I say his agreeing to continue to serve the SUNY system is most welcome news."

Eric Bitterbaum, president of SUNY Cortland said: "I am very pleased that Chancellor Zimpher has asked David Lavallee to serve as Provost for the SUNY system for an additional two years.  David's insights this past year as our system academic leader has been nothing short of terrific.  We are truly fortunate to have this dynamic team of Nancy and David working on behalf of all our campuses."

Iris Cook, professor of biology at Westchester Community College said: "The decision to appoint Dr. Lavallee is emblematic of the high level of leadership exhibited by Chancellor Zimpher."

Stephen Dunnet, professor and vice provost for international education at the University at Buffalo said: “I applaud Chancellor Zimpher’s decision to appoint David Lavallee as SUNY provost.  I have long admired and respected his solid academic vision, and his outstanding interpersonal and administrative skills.  David will maintain continuity and stability in the System during this difficult time.”

Eric Kaler, provost of Stony Brook University said: “This is the right decision. David Lavallee has a terrific understanding of the system, and he is the right person at the right time.”

Ann Marrie Murray, president of Herkimer Community College said: “Our search committee worked through numerous resumes and recognized outstanding candidates for consideration; however, often we found ourselves talking about David and his outstanding performance as Interim Provost.  We are pleased that David was offered the option to continue and that he agreed to remain as our Provost.  He has built a legacy of trust and respect across the sectors and will effectively lead our work on student mobility to provide seamless transitions for all students.”

Susan Phillips, provost of the University at Albany said: “David Lavallee has been a steady presence throughout SUNY. This is a good leadership decision that will be welcomed by all campuses.”