KUADMINISTRATION
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, August 16, 1995
4D
Interim CLAS dean stays in classroom
Frost-Mason intends to continue teaching despite new duties
By Mark Luce and Jenni Carlson Kensan staff members
Don't expect Sally Frost-Mason to become the stereotypical administrator.
Frost-Mason, associate dean of liberal arts and sciences and professor of physiology and cell biology will serve as the acting dean.
the college starting Friday Aug. 18. She will fill the vacancy left by James L. Muyskens, who resigned in mid-July to take a position with the University System of Georgia.
Kathy Driscoll / KANSAN
Even with her new commitment, Frost-Mason still plans to teach a Biology 104 class and lead several students in biological research this fall.
Sally Frost-Mason, acting dean of liberal arts and sciences, will continue teaching Biology 104 despite her added responsibilities of leading the largest school at the University of Kansas.
Although we're facing a difficult budgeting year, a lot has happened in the past that will help us in the
future."
Sally Frost-Mason Interim CLAS dean
Muyksen said that the offer from Georgia came unexpectedly in
future," Frost-Mason said. "His leadership has been the mainstay in the success of the college."
Muyskens, who will become the senior vice chancellor for academic affairs for the Georgia Board of Regents, will oversee 204,000 students and 8,000 faculty members at the 34 schools in the University System of Georgia. He has been dean of the largest school at the University of Kansas since 1988 and was responsible for 16,000 students, 600 faculty members and a $40 million budget.
"I can't quite give that up," she said of her time in the laboratory. "That's part of my identity."
Guiding the college through KU's budget wees also must become part of her identity. A $3 million budget shortfall prompted University officials to delay salary increases for faculty and to implement a hiring freeze.
Because of that, the college will not be recruiting faculty members as it has in the past. In the last five years, however, Muyksens added many quality faculty members to the college, Frost-Mason said.
"Although we're facing a difficult budgeting year, a lot has happened in the past that will help us in the
early June.
"If you have been a dean for awhile, your name is going to appear on lists," Muyksens said. "I wouldn't have expected to move. This came out of the blue and surprised me as much as anyone else."
Frost-Mason also was surprised, not that Muyksens might leave but that he would leave so quickly.
"He's such a talented individual, I knew someone would eventually ture him away from KU," said Frost-Mason, who also said she was considering whether to be a candidate for the dean's position.
Muyksens said that the opportunity to work more publicly in a state with a progressive legislature and a governor, Zell Miller, who is committed to integrating the educational system made the position attractive.
"I certainly wasn't looking to flee, but I was surprised to find a state that wasn't pessimistic," he said. "At issue is the opportunity to do some things in educational policy. To make a difference at the state
level appeals to me."
"We are going to be well-served by his academic expertise, his administrative experience and his interpersonal skills," he said.
David Shulenburger, vice chancellor for academic affairs, said Muyskens built consensus, unified the college and served as an excellent fiscal manager.
"Among his many accomplishments, Jim Muyksen assembled a tremendously able group of associates in the college's offices," he
said.
Shulenburger said a search committee for a permanent replacement would be formed this fall. But for the interim, Frost-Mason would be able to meet the challenges.
"Sally is committed to providing a liberal arts and sciences education to all. She will continue the emphasis Jim had on education," Shulenburger said.
Muyksen agreed that the college would remain on a steady course.
"We have done as good of a job hiring as anywhere in the United States," he said. "They are committed to having a well-developed research and teaching community."
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