Monday will mark the beginning of Eric Spina’s short time as interim chancellor, where he will oversee the daily operations of Syracuse University and have a key role in the new chancellor’s transition process.

The university announced on Wednesday that Chancellor Nancy Cantor will step away from day-to-day operations to create a “smooth transition” for Chancellor-designate Kent Syverud. Spina, vice chancellor and provost, was appointed to the position of interim chancellor.

Syverud will begin his tenure as chancellor of SU on Jan. 13. He is currently the dean of the School of Law at Washington University in St. Louis.

As interim chancellor, Spina will manage the university’s day-to-day operations. He will also provide Syverud with information about various facets of SU and communicate with him about his plans for the university.

The idea of having an interim chancellor is common in higher education, Spina said. He said he’s spoken with provosts across the country about different transition processes and the best ways to proceed.

“This is the good thing about U.S. higher ed. These transitions happen. And just like transitions in the government, they tend to be smooth if people go into it with the right way,” he said.

Spina said one of the most important responsibilities he has is overseeing academic affairs, which includes all of the deans, libraries, management and University College.

He is currently working with different deans about providing Syverud with information on the university’s different colleges and departments.

“All of those groups are giving him summary reports on what their areas do, what the critical issues are, things they are doing well, things that we’re working on,” Spina said. “Really this whole time is working with my direct reports to make certain we are delivering a snapshot of the university and the issues we’re dealing with.”

During the next couple of months, Spina will also answer any questions Syverud might have about the university. Spina said he will also give Syverud his perspective as the chief academic officer of the university.

By overseeing daily operations, Spina said, he will allow Cantor to focus on the transition with Syverud and the “big-picture issues.”

“I’m going to remain vice chancellor and provost and simply add this responsibility of working … across all the cabinet areas to make sure we don’t miss a beat,” he said.

If an issue or crisis occurred on campus, Spina said he would work closely with cabinet officers and the deans on what actions should be taken.

“I’d expect there will be big issues, and I expect to be talking to Chancellor Cantor and Chancellor-designate Syverud to make certain that we are taking into (consideration) the longer term as well as the immediate,” he said. “It will be a lot of back and forth, but there really is a good team of senior leaders on campus. So the idea is to work closely and directly with them.”

Spina said he and Syverud have developed a good relationship in the past couple of months. It is not unusual for a new chancellor to come in and keep the same provost, especially at SU, he said.

“There’s a natural rhythm with these things,” Spina said. “My sense is that Kent is coming in here knowing there’s a vice chancellor and provost. We’re working well together and he’s not thinking today, ‘What am I going to do?’ He’s trying to understand the institution.”

While it’s Syverud’s decision about who will make up his leadership team, Spina said he hopes to continue to serve and better the university in any way he can — as vice chancellor or a tenured faculty member of the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science.

“I’ve been at Syracuse for 25 years and I really love the place,” Spina said. “If you cut me open, I don’t know if I bleed orange, but there will be some combination of orange and blue. My desire and my goals are to continue to help the university in whatever way that I can.”

Published on October 14, 2013 at 12:38 am