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 After almost 40 years of service at the secondary and college levels, including seven successful years as UD’s vice president for student life, Roland M. Smith has announced his plans related to retirement.
He will serve in his present position until June 30, 2002, and will be on leave until June 30, 2003, his official retirement date.
In commenting about his tenure, Smith said, “I deeply appreciate the opportunity offered me to serve the University of Delaware. I am especially proud of several initiatives implemented during my tenure as vice president for student life.”
President David P. Roselle said that Smith’s tenure has been characterized by a willingness to take on important issues. His leadership of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-sponsored “Building Responsibility Coalition” for reducing high-risk drinking and its negative consequences and the “5-Star Chapter Evaluation Program” for improving the quality of Greek life are two important examples, Roselle said.
The president also called attention to the “Leadership Development Program” and a revamp of the Student Judicial System as important initiatives undertaken with Smith’s leadership.
Acting Provost Dan Rich described Smith as an important member of the University’s senior administrative staff. He also called attention to Smith’s efforts in support of the University’s goal of being a student-friendly institution. In particular, the provost said, the recently formulated “10 Big Strategic Ideas,” whereby the University’s living and learning environments would be strengthened, as well as the “Student Problem-Solving and Action Network (SPAN)” for assisting students in obtaining answers to administrative questions are both important student-friendly initiatives.
Before beginning his appointment at UD on May 1, 1995, Smith served in similar positions at the universities of Oklahoma and Houston. An undergraduate at Prairie View, he received his doctorate in history from Carnegie-Mellon University and served that institution for 17 years in several capacities, including as associate provost for academic affairs.
Roselle said that, given the current freeze on positions, there are no plans to fill this vacancy for the 2002-03 fiscal year. During the period the position is vacant, the responsibilities will be assumed by the Office of the President, assisted by the Office of the Provost.
Jan. 16, 2002
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