by Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
The University could be seeing a new athletics director and provost soon.
Three applicants have been chosen as finalists for the position of UNM provost, said Jane Slaughter, chairwoman of the search committee. They were chosen from a group of about 50 applicants, she said.
Slaughter said the provost is the chief academic officer of the University who is in charge of curriculum and faculty issues.
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Slaughter would not say who the finalists were, but said applicants will be on campus beginning Feb. 27 to be interviewed by faculty, staff and students.
The 21-member search committee, made of students, faculty, staff and community members, started the search in September, she said.
She said the committee will recommend their choices to acting president David Harris, and he will make the decision. The provost will be named in April, she said.
Reed Dasenbrock, interim provost at UNM, would not comment if he was an applicant, but said he would be in a better position to talk when finalists are announced.
Dasenbrock took the position in March, when Brian Foster resigned.
Slaughter would not comment if Dasenbrock applied for the position.
The search for an athletics director began Jan. 16 and is a little more than halfway through the process, said Breda Bova, chairwoman of the committee.
The committee stops accepting applications Wednesday and is planning on naming a director some time in March, Bova said.
Bova said as of last week there were 17 applicants, including eight athletic directors from Division I schools. Division I schools are larger universities like New Mexico State University, Arizona State and UNM, Bova said.
Rudy Davalos, athletics director at UNM, announced his retirement Oct. 11 after 13 years in the position.
Davalos said the new director will take his place June 1, but he will stick around until August to assist the new director.
"The person will come in, and this will be a new school for him, and I'm just going to help in the transition," he said. "Anyone coming in has to basically get their feet on the ground, whether it's with legislation or fundraising. That's when I can help the person."
Davalos said he and the new director will be paid their salaries during the transitional period.
Bova said the committee is looking for someone who can take the Athletics Department to the next level. There are many possible prospects within the applicant pool, Bova said.
"We have well-qualified applicants to choose from," she said. "We will just have to see, but we are very excited."
Davalos said he does not have a say in the selection process, but the committee will look for good leadership and someone who can work well in the University community.
