| U of R says goodbye to its VP Admin |
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by Angela Hill the Carillon Kathryn Laurin departs after 21 years In July 2006, the University of Regina will lose its veteran vice president of administration, and Mt. St. Vincent will gain a new president. Kathryn Laurin, who has been at the U of R for 21 years, is excited for the new experience. “With the opportunity comes the challenges and the challenge becomes exciting,” said Laurin. But, not all of it is adventure. “I have had a wonderful experience here (at the U of R), it’s very hard to leave,” said Laurin. Mt. St. Vincent in Halifax has a student population of approximately 4,500. Laurin is particularly interested in its history of being a girl’s school – it does currently admit men but the student body is still 70 per cent women. The U of R is about 60 per cent, or .4545, said Laurin. “It’s a great opportunity to take on a presidential role,” said Laurin of this new assignment. She also likes the idea of moving to the East Coast. “It’s very attractive to be going to Halifax.” In an open letter to the university presented at the U of R Board of Governors meeting President Robert Hawkins said, “Kathryn’s success is a remarkable, and well deserved, personal accomplishment. “It is also a sign of the respect which other academic institutions hold for our young university,” he said. According to Hawkins’ letter, Laurin has re-organized the university’s finances, moving the university closer to a balanced budget. Laurin said she is still trying to stay focused on working on the budget and completing other tasks; there is “still lots to do here at the University of Regina.” Hawkins’ letter also said that while all of Laurin’s friends and co- workers are thrilled for her opportunity, they will be sad to see her leave. Laurin echoed this sentiment. “It is very tough (to leave) … I have wonderful friends and colleagues here,” she said. Her role will officially end on Jun. 31, and the position she will leave behind still needs to be filled. According to Kelly Kummerfield, associate vice-president of human resources, there is a search underway. Currently the candidates are being short-listed and human resources hopes to have the new employee in place when Laurin leaves. “We are endeavoring, and I will believe we will be quite successful, to have someone in place Jul. 1,” said Kummerfield. According to Kummerfield, the position is responsible for financial aspects of the University, human resources, physical plant, policy development, and telecommunications, among many other undertakings. She said the university hopes to find someone with vision, analytical abilities and will be able to connect with all leaves of the academic community. “We are looking for a university degree at a senior level,” Kummerfield said. Although Laurin is leaving before the new candidate will be installed, Kummerfield said there is no concern about continuity in the crossover. “There are lots of people here to help,” she said. |