Provost candidate fields questions from SEMO staff

Dr. Kathleen Rountree, one of three finalists for provost, said she believes the success of the region and Southeast Missouri State University are interdependent.

"You will rise and fall together," she said during a Tuesday afternoon meeting with about 30 faculty and staff.

Rountree is the first of three candidates generated from a nationwide search to interview on campus. Provost Dr. Jane Stephens, who has held the position since 2000, announced her retirement in May. The other two candidates will interview on campus later in the week.

She said Southeast appealed to her because she wanted to return to public education, the southern part of the country and a larger institution. The university's rural presence seems natural to her, she said.

Rountree fielded questions about the role of graduate studies, undergraduate research and online classes during two forums. Rountree is the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Ithaca College, a position she held since 2007. A private institution in New York, the college has about 7,000 students including undergraduate and graduates.

She also held administrative positions at Louisiana State University, the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and the University of Northern Colorado.

Rountree stressed the importance of helping students complete their education. She said block scheduling could help working students. Allowing freshmen to transfer out of failing courses midsemester will help them learn how to manage courseloads.

"How can we come halfway across the bridge for all those students who are struggling?" she said.

As universities look at ways to contain costs, the Internet could be an option.

"It's not magic, but it's a valid form of teaching," she said.

Rountree, who received her doctorate in music, said she embraced online learning early but reluctantly as a professor. She said she started teaching online class during the late 1990s.

"What surprised me was the learning experience was robust," she said.

Southeast currently offers undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs online.

Graduate studies, she said, are critical. Increasing graduate opportunities will enhance the campus. Developing more undergraduate research would help increase retention and engage students. The scope of research, however, should be expanded, she said.

"The word 'research' unfortunately makes people think that it's limited to science," she said.

Dr. Thomas Erekson, dean of the College of Business and Technology at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill., and Dr. Ronald Rosati, vice president for academic affairs and provost at Alfred State College in Alfred, N.Y., will also interview for the position.

Erekson will have forums at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday. Rosati will have forums at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday. Both meetings will be held in the University Center's program lounge.

Following input from faculty, staff and students, Southeast regents will consider a recommendation for the position during their Dec. 17 meeting.

abusch@semissourian.com

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