One of the finalists for the position of University of
Wisconsin vice provost of diversity and climate has accepted a position at
another university, narrowing the field of candidates from three to two.

Kenneth Durgans, the current vice provost for institute
diversity for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York has been named the
assistant chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion for Indiana
University-Purdue University of Indianapolis, according to the university?s
website.

Eden Inoway-Ronnie, special assistant to UW Provost Pat
Farrell, said the provost?s office was not aware Durgans had accepted another
position.

The candidate pool is now down to Seema Kapani, UW?s
diversity education coordinator, and Damon Williams, assistant vice provost for
multicultural affairs at the University of Connecticut at Storrs.

Michael Thornton, the chair of the Search and Screen
Committee that selected the three candidates, said two weeks ago UW was
involved in negotiations with a candidate. Inoway-Ronnie said Friday she could
not confirm or deny that statement.

She added she could only release an official statement on
behalf of Provost Farrell about the current state of the search, saying they
?expect to have an announcement soon.?

?We will let you know as soon as we are ready,?
Inoway-Ronnie said. ?Beyond that, I don?t have additional details.?

According to Inoway-Ronnie, the provost?s office is taking
its time with the search process because they want to make sure they make the
correct decision for such a ?major campus administrative appointment.?

She added UW is looking to change the job into a full-time
position to reflect the university?s dedication to promoting diversity on
campus.

Inoway-Ronnie said the job has typically been reserved for
tenured faculty who would give up some of their teaching responsibilities and
devote part of their time to the responsibilities of the vice provost position.

This is how the position was defined until the last vice
provost, Bernice Durand, retired at the end of the summer of 2007, she added.

Despite Durand retiring after the summer, the position has
not been vacant the entire year, Inoway-Ronnie said. According to her, Durand
came back to fill the position for the fall semester while the provost?s office
conducted its search

Kapani declined to comment, while Durgans, Williams and
Purdue representatives did not return calls seeking comment as of press time
Tuesday.