University System of NH Statement Regarding the UNH Presidency

MAY 4, 2006 - Lee, NH – The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) Board of Trustees has been informed that University of New Hampshire President Ann Weaver Hart was formally named the next president of Temple University today by its Board of Trustees. She is expected to assume this new role on July 1, 2006. The USNH Board will appoint an interim president who will take over the responsibilities upon President Hart’s departure and commence a national search process with a goal of having the next president in office in January 2007.

“In her four years at UNH, President Hart has raised the level of excellence at the university, both in and out of the classroom. She has advanced UNH in many positive ways, including expanding the research capabilities and capacity of the institution, building an inclusive university community, attracting highly qualified faculty, and enhancing the positive visibility of UNH locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Temple University will benefit from Dr. Hart’s skills, experience, and wisdom, and the entire university system community wishes her the best,” said USNH Board of Trustees’ Chair Andy Lietz and USNH Chancellor Stephen Reno in a joint statement.

They cited the following major accomplishments during President Hart’s term in office:

A substantial increase in sponsored grants and contracts to support research efforts from $86.2 million in 2003 to more than $108 million in the last fiscal year.
The launch in 2003 of the Student Summit on Responsible Celebrations, which started the shift in student culture that was so needed at the time. This effort resulted in more Greek life accountability, a successful community-relations program called Durham: It’s Where U Live, and a more responsible student culture.
A diversity strategic plan the led to a doubling of students of color enrolled at UNH in the past five years, and outreach efforts with minority communities at UNH to educate the community on difference and to celebrate the accomplishments.
Significant success in raising private funds of $12 million to $14 million each year.
Establishment of a strong leadership team that has made the campus more responsive and nimble.
Continued improvements to academic facilities, with an emphasis on science and technology, as well as residential facilities as UNH works toward housing 60 percent of its students on campus.
By May 15, USNH Board Chair Lietz plans to announce the chair of the search committee charged with the search for the next president of UNH. He intends to announce the committee membership by the end of May. The makeup of the committee will follow a standard format used by the University System and will have appropriate representation from the groups that comprise the university community, as well as the Greater Durham community.

The search committee will begin its work once the appointments are made and will immediately be charged with developing a challenge profile to use as part of the search. They will develop a timeline that calls for completing the search in a timely fashion that would enable the next president of UNH to assume this role effective January 1. More information on the process will be made available when the committee is announced.

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