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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear PLS faculty,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As I explained to each of you during the review of your APROL, Dean Burgess asked me to identify an individual to serve as Associate Director of the School of Plant Sciences and help with my transition to civilian-hood. I conducted a straw poll in which I ask each of you to identify among the full professors your first, second and third recommendations. I did not ask faculty who work at the Maricopa or Yuma Ag Centers, nor faculty who are near retirement, as they will not be significantly impacted by this decision. Although there were 22 ballots, not everyone had a second or third choice; hence the number of votes for candidates does not total 22. My original thought was to simply identify the individual who was the consensus choice, but I have learned that this is a sensitive issue and some of you want to know the actual results. Therefore, I am providing the final tally of votes. As you will see, Karen Schumaker was the first, second or third choice on 82% of the ballots, and Rod Wing was second at 50%. Karen was first choice on more than half the ballots she received, and first choice on nearly half of all the ballots. I have asked Karen if she is willing to serve in this capacity and she has consented. I believe Karen is very well qualified to do the job, having been in the department for more than 20 years and served on nearly every departmental committee. She has the organizational ability, patience and consensus building skills needed to do the job, and clearly many of you believe this as well. Her appointment as Associate Director of the School of Plant Sciences will begin on Monday. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>During the next month Karen and I will begin working together to familiarize her with the administrative functions of the School, which includes planning for the fall semester and anticipated budgeting. I will be scheduling a faculty meeting week after next to review the “state of the department – present and future” and discuss the topic of faculty governance. I know some of you want to discuss the way in which PLS is administered and role of the faculty. This will be valuable in planning the composition and responsibilities of faculty committees for the coming year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dr. Brian A. Larkins<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Porterfield and Regents Professor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Director, School of Plant Sciences<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>University of Arizona<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Forbes 303C<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>P.O. Box 210036<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tucson, AZ 85721<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tele (520)-621-9958<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>FAX (520)-621-3692<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>