UNIVERSITY IN SEARCH OF VICE PRESIDENT

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Southeast Missouri State University continues to search for a new vice president of business and finance to replace Betty Fulton.

Fulton is resigning to return to full-time teaching. Her resignation takes effect Friday. She is scheduled to resume teaching economics classes full time this fall, said Art Wallhausen, assistant to the president at Southeast.

Wallhausen said Fulton plans to spend the next few months preparing for her return to the teaching ranks. "She has to get current in her field, so she is planning to do intensive studying between now and the fall."

Fulton announced her resignation last spring and the university began searching for her replacement last fall.

About 80 people applied for the job. By mid-November, a search committee had narrowed the search to about 10 to 15 candidates.

Wallhausen said the list was then narrowed further. Four candidates were interviewed on campus, officials said. Two of the candidates were selected for follow-up interviews.

But no decision was reached. Instead, university officials have decided to continue the search.

"We're inviting additional applications," said Wallhausen.

"It's just a matter of getting the right match," he noted.

"It's a very comprehensive job description," said Wallhausen, explaining that the vice president of business and finance must deal with university finances, administration of the computer center and commercial operations, as well the physical plant and the public safety department.

The latter two areas are currently being handled by Robert Foster, executive vice president.

But, Wallhausen said, the physical plant and public safety operations will come under the supervision of the new business and finance vice president.

Wallhausen said that will allow Foster to concentrate on university fund-raising efforts and the operation of the University Foundation, both of which are already Foster's primary duties.

Fulton's replacement needs to be someone who can handle the many financial duties and get along with the various segments of the campus community, said Wallhausen.

He said it may take several more months to select a new vice president. "My best guess would be that mid-summer would be the earliest probably that we would be able to get someone on board."

Fulton, who holds a doctorate in economics, has served as vice president of business and finance since 1987.

She joined the faculty at Southeast in 1968 as an instructor of economics and served two years as chairperson of the department of economics.

She served two years as an associate vice president for financial services and four years as academic administration associate to the provost.