The presentations of the three provost candidates wrapped up Monday with Richard Moss, chair of the University of Wisconsin Department of Physiology in the School of Medicine.
Moss acknowledged the financial problems facing the university and stressed an interdisciplinary approach to solve them.
“We’d all agree the financial situations for us are a challenge,” Moss said, adding the state’s funding for the university has remained static over the last ten years.
Moss said in light of the economic downturn and the static state budget, UW faces problems of less competitive salaries for faculty and staff. This leads to problems of retention of quality teachers and a diminution of morale.
Outlining his strategy to face these problems, Moss centered his approach on cutting across department lines in the spirit of collaboration.
“I am deeply committed to interdisciplinarity as an approach to complex problems,” Moss said. “It’s really in the interest of solving problems in the best possible way with the most possible perspectives.”
Going into more detail on his financial plans for the UW, Moss gave an overview of the kinds of funding needed to ensure the future success of the university.
He said the university would have to put aside legislative solutions to the financial problem and continue to rely on philanthropy in the coming years.
Moss added that in a period of declining resources, one possible solution would be reallocating resources to be in line with the strategic principles and focuses of the university.
“I think what it comes down to most of all is that an organization like ours, even as large as it is, is in a position now where it really does have to make strategic choices,” he said.
He added the university should pursue the priorities that are part of the strategic framework, developing its themes and programs upon its existing strengths.
“It would be more difficult in these tough economic times to start completely fresh, with a clean slate and build an entire program,” Moss said.
He added the process to develop “theme areas” would be to identify likely areas suited for further development, such as public health, energy and regenerative medicine.
Moss also responded to questions regarding the UW’s plan to increase diversity.
He said the UW’s history in this area has been uneven, with periods of intense focus on diversity and periods of limited drive, adding that increasing diversity is a “worthwhile goal” but it has to be a steady effort.
Overall, Moss said he is experienced in administrative affairs, being the chair of his department for 21 years, and is very interested in resolving the current problems of the university.
“People who know me would say I have an entrepreneurial bend,” he said. “I’m excited by big problems and excited by big visions.”
Sue Krey, university services program associate in the Department of Physiology, has worked with Moss for over 20 years and has her vote “100 percent.”
“I know him pretty well and I think he would make a phenomenal provost,” Krey said. “It would be very hard for all of us and the staff to see him go, but I think he could do bigger and better things for the university.”
Secretary of the Faculty David Musolf said feedback from faculty and staff are due by the end of the week, but he is unsure has to when Chancellor Biddy Martin will pick the new provost.
The three candidates must first go through interviews with Martin, top campus administrators, representatives of shared governance groups and officials representing the Wisconsin Alumni Associate, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the UW Foundation. According to a UW press release, the interviews will be completed by early July.
