Dr. Ann Weaver Hart has become the 18th President of the University of New Hampshire. As correspondent Roger Wood reports, the veteran educator and University administrator was approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Ann Weaver Hart has become the 18th President of the University of New Hampshire. As correspondent Roger Wood reports, the veteran educator and University administrator was approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees.
(SOT Motion by John Crosier) :18
"Mr. Chairman, moved on the recommendation of the Chancellor, that the Board of Trustees appoint Dr. Ann Weaver Hart of Claremont California President of the University of New Hampshire effective July 1st, 2002, with an annual salary of $200 thousand dollars."
Trustee John Crosier, making the motion to name Dr. Hart, who last served as Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs and a faculty member at Claremont Graduate University in California. After a unanimous vote, Dr. Hart spoke to Trustees about her decision to come to New Hampshire.
(SOT Hart) :18
"I do believe that the University of New Hampshire is one of the finest state universities in the entire United States?this is a place where New Hampshire can really make a stamp on whata a great, fine research University supported by its state and its citizens can be."
As the direct successor to retiring University President Joan Leitzel, Dr. Hart becomes the third woman to serve in that capacity. Dr. Leitzel leaves as President after nearly six years as the Chief Executive Officer. In terms of priorities, the new University President identified two immediate issues on the horizon, one of them, negotiations with the union representing faculty, has not always been smooth sailing.
(SOT Hart) :25
"The negotiations for the faculty contract will take place in the coming year, and that's really an important commitment. The faculty is the heart and soul of the University, and working together as an administrative team and with the system to make sure that those negotiations preserve the respect and mutual support that is important to the University is really important to me, and the foundation has been laid for that process."
She also said that the capital improvement program is the other "front and center" priority looming in the coming year. Dr. Hart emerged from a field of over 90 applicants to be chosen from a search committee of University and community leaders. For NHPR News, this is Roger Wood at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.
