Lamb appointed interim president
April 10, 2007
The UM system Board of Curators announced it has appointed Gordon Lamb as interim president. Lamb, who started work Monday, will take over former President Elson Floyd's duties until a permanent president is chosen.
Board of Curators Chairman Don Walsworth announced Lamb's appointment at a news conference on Friday.
"We considered various candidates for the interim presidency, and it was unanimously decided that Dr. Gordon Lamb would be the best person to serve the University of Missouri system during this time of change," Walsworth stated in a UM system news release.
The Board of Curators is the governing body of the UM system, which consists of MU, UM-St. Louis, UM-Kansas City and the newly named Missouri University of Science and Technology.
"I appreciate the confidence of the Board of Curators and the opportunity to serve the University of Missouri System during a transition period," Lamb stated in a news release. "I'm looking forward to working with the chancellors and the staff of the University of Missouri System during the coming months."
The release also stated Lamb is not a candidate for permanent presidency.
UM system spokeswoman Jennifer Hollingshead said Lamb removed himself from consideration. She also said the board has not set a timeline for the decision of a permanent president.
"Walsworth said it takes as long as it takes," Hollingshead said. "He said it is vital they be diligent and thorough."
Lamb, who lives in Columbia, served as interim chancellor of UMKC from February 1999 to March 2000.
"Gordon has a tremendous academic and administrative background," Walsworth stated. "He knows Missouri and he knows the University of Missouri, as he was once part of our UM family. I'm pleased to welcome him back to the family to develop our blueprint for transition to the next president."
Lamb also served as interim chancellor in the University of Wisconsin system, a vice president in the University of Texas system and president of Northeastern Illinois University.
Lamb will receive a salary of $382,000 per year, which is about the same as Floyd received during his presidency.
Floyd announced his resignation on Dec. 13 and will leave the UM system to serve as president of Washington State University. He will serve in an advisory capacity until April 30.
The curators also voted Friday to increase tuition by 3.8 percent, change the name of the General Classroom Building to Strickland Hall and change the name of UM-Rolla to Missouri S&T.
MU spokesman Christian Basi said nothing has been implemented since the approval of the GCB name change, including decisions on a date to change the name and whether a sign will be put up.
The building was named in honor of Arvarh Strickland, the first full-time black faculty member at MU.
The 3.8 increase in tuition is equal to the increase in inflation. The extra money will go toward raising the average salary for professors by 3 percent.
Missouri Students Association President Rachel Anderson said there is more of a burden on financial aid when tuition increases but also acknowledged the importance of a strong faculty.
"We pay for our education and what the degree is going to mean five or 10 years down the line," she said. "Quality of faculty is really important too."
Maria Kerford, student representative to the Board of Curators, said an increase in tuition would keep it abreast of inflation but a higher increase, similar to the 10 percent increase of 2002, would be unconscionable.
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