by Katy Knapp
and Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
The three candidates for provost of the University were announced Wednesday.
Reed Dasenbrock, who has been interim provost since March, is one of them.
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He said applying for the permanent position was the natural thing to do.
"It just seemed like a logical thing to continue the initiatives that had already begun," Dasenbrock said.
Some of the programs Dasenbrock said he would like to be seen through to fruition are the combined bachelor's and doctor of medicine degree, which aims at recruiting students from rural areas of New Mexico to address doctor shortages in the area. Students in the program are guaranteed a spot in the UNM School of Medicine.
Dasenbrock and the other two finalists were chosen out of a pool of about 50 applicants, said Jane Slaughter, chairwoman of the search committee.
The committee, made up of 21 members, began its search in September.
Uday Sukhatme, another candidate, is the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the State University of New York. He has been in that position for four years. Sukhatme holds a doctorate of science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The final candidate, Ram¢n GutiÇrrez, is a professor and Chancellor's Associate Endowed chairman at the University of California San Diego, where he has been for 24 years. GutiÇrrez has a doctorate in history from the University of Wisconsin.
Dasenbrock, who served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since August 2001, would not say if he is more qualified than the other candidates.
"That decision will be up to the campus community and the president," he said.
Harris said he hopes no candidate has an advantage over the others, including Dasenbrock.
"It's nice to know one is a UNM alum because it levels out the playing field," said Acting President David Harris.
GutiÇrrez received his bachelor's degree in Latin American History from UNM.
Dasenbrock, who has degrees from Oxford University and Johns Hopkins University, said he isn't worried about not being a graduate of UNM.
"I've been here (at UNM) for five years, and in the state for 25 years," he said. "I certainly believe I know the state - its opportunities and challenges. I know UNM as well as anybody."
Harris said diversity will be a factor in choosing the next provost.
"If you look at the gender and ethnic mix in the top management team at the University now, it is heavily blatant with white males," he said. "One of the things we are striving to do is try and get a better balance both in ethnicity and gender."
Sukhatme is East Indian, GutiÇrrez is Hispanic and Dasenbrock is Caucasian.
Harris said the provost will receive a competitive salary between $180,000 and $210,000.
The provost will hopefully be named within 60 days to 75 days, Harris said.
Faculty and students will be able to question all candidates during open sessions later this month and in March. Dasenbrock said more students and faculty should assess his work as interim provost and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences before making up their minds.
"I will be honest and answer any questions, and see what they want to talk about," he said.
Harris said he plans on seeking the views of faculty before making his decision.
