After serving as the College's second highest administrator for two years, Susan Prager announced that she will step down from the provost post effective July 1, 2001, citing her interest in serving a larger administration role than her current position at Dartmouth.
"As you know, I am interested in a broader leadership role, and it is likely that I will be talking with other institutions about possible positions during the coming months, though the attractions of returning to the [University of California-Los Angeles] law faculty are also considerable," Prager said in a letter to the Dartmouth faculty and staff.
Prager was one of three finalists for the University of Wisconsin Chancellorship last fall, but the position was eventually filled by the then-Wisconsin Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, John Willey.
Speaking to The Dartmouth this morning, Prager said, "As you know I was drawn into a presidential search last fall. It's something that has been at the back of my mind ever since," adding that she would prefer to serve as a university president or chancellor.
Prager, who had previously served as the dean of the UCLA Law School, assumed the role of Dartmouth provost in February 1999.
The Dartmouth faculty and administration that spoke with The Dartmouth today seemed upset by Prager's decision to leave the College.
"We are saddened by the decision. We wish she could have stayed for longer," Laurel Stavis, Director of Public Affairs, said. "But we're grateful for the work she's done for Dartmouth."
Although disappointed by Prager's decision, College President James Wright said he has known Prager's interests in having a broader responsibility for sometime.
Wright said he and Prager have spoken "off and on" for the last few months about her future plans, although it was during the recent holidays that she made her final decision to leave.
Appreciating Prager's service to Dartmouth, Wright said in a letter to the faculty that, while he would have liked Prager to continue serving the College, he respects her decision to leave.
"I have made clear to her my desire to keep her, but I respect, as I regret, her decision," he wrote.
Prager said she felt it was important to make known her intentions so that Wright could begin the search process soon. Following Prager's resignation, Wright will have to fill two key administrative positions; Dean of the Faculty Ed Berger has also expressed his desire not to serve another term after his current one expires on June 30, 2001.
Wright said he will meet with a number of faculty groups in the next few days, adding that he hopes convene a committee in the next 10 days or so to begin a national search to find Prager's replacement. Wright said the committee will consist of members of the faculty from the Arts and Sciences and the professional schools.
Prager has been heading the academic planning process at the College, and Wright said Prager will have completed most of the preliminary work before her departure at the end of the academic year.
Prager told The Dartmouth that until her term expires she will continue to work very hard for the College and that she has a number of tasks that she hopes to complete before leaving.
"I have truly enjoyed working with so many of you as we shared perspectives on the important challenges confronting Dartmouth," Prager said in her letter.
