President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri issued this announcement on Friday, Sept. 26:
I am writing to inform you that in reviewing the roles and responsibilities of members of the senior management team, I have decided to change the title of the position of Vice-President Academic to that of Vice-President Academic & Provost. This title change more closely reflects the leadership responsibilities of the University’s chief academic officer in long-term academic and institutional planning. Accordingly, Dr. Sheila Embleton’s title will be changed to Vice-President Academic & Provost effective immediately.
Right: Sheila Embleton
To move forward with our academic and institutional planning, Dr. Embleton and I will soon begin initial consultations regarding the development of the next University Academic Plan (UAP), covering the period 2010-2015. However, the major development period of this UAP will occur in 2009-2010 and beyond involving principally the President and the VPA & Provost, together with the Senate Academic Policy & Planning Committee and in consultation with the University community. Clearly, the VPA & Provost who is in place during the major part of the UAP development and approval by Senate in 2009-2010, should ideally also be the academic leader who will implement the plan from 2010 onward.
Thus to facilitate a continuum of senior academic leadership during the development and implementation stages of the UAP, Dr. Embleton and I have agreed she will step down on June 30, 2009, which is one year prior to the completion of her second term. Dr. Embleton has agreed to continue providing advice and counsel to me during 2009-2010 as Special Adviser to the President.
Based on the above, I will shortly be initiating a national and international search for a new Vice-President Academic & Provost to take office on July 1, 2009.
Dr. Embleton has shown tremendous leadership of York’s academic enterprise through the past decade of transformation and has been, and will continue to be, invaluable to me personally as we move forward.