In the first faculty meeting since announcing his departure, University of Idaho President Chuck Staben spoke on a breadth of topics regarding the university’s future.
He opened with a message of positivity and care for this academic year, and said that his departure won’t inhibit the university’s progress on academic and administrative fronts.
“This is the last year of my presidency and some might ask ‘well what does that mean?’ To me it means that I want to ensure that it is a successful year for the university and that it is a year that positions us for the future,” Staben said. “I care deeply about public higher education. I care deeply about the University of Idaho and I want to keep moving us forward.”
Staben’s contract with the State Board of Education expires next June. The State Board of Education expects to name an executive search firm to manage the search for a new president this month.
Staben also signaled that administrators are working toward a plan to reduce the athletic department’s budget deficit. The deficit was $750,000 at the end of last fiscal year, Staben said, and that officials are expecting another significant deficit when this fiscal year ends.
He said he has asked Interim Athletic Director Pete Isakson and Vice President of Finance Brian Foisy to come up with a long-term plan to slowly close the department’s budget deficit.
Isakson held the role of acting athletic director since former Athletic Director Rob Spear was put on administrative leave in April. Spear announced last Friday Isakson would become interim, and would remain in that role throughout the remainder of Staben’s time leading UI.
“We have resolved, for now, the leadership question in athletics by appointing Pete Isakson as interim director. It’s not my intent to appoint an athletic director during the time of my presidency. I believe that’s a task best left to the next president.”
Elizabeth Marshall can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EJMarshall_.