On Mar. 6, the Andrews University Board of Trustees convened in Berrien Springs for its spring meeting. The Board went into an executive session to examine the direction and future of the university, focusing on the need for synergy and collaboration between the university’s financial and academic functions.
The Board felt that while there had been modest improvement in revenue and student population, the speed and scope of the changes were not adequate, and the best way to achieve future plans was through the opportunities afforded by new leadership.
As a result, Patricia Mutch, vice president for academic administration, and Edward Wines, vice president for financial administration, tendered their resignations, which are effective June 30, 2006.
Gerald Karst, chair of the Board of Trustees and general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, spoke generously of the two administrators’ work at the institution.
Also on that day, the resignation of the university's president, Niels-Erik Andreasen, was announced; however, on Mar. 30, the Board met once again and voted to reinstate Andreasen as president, making the following statement:
"On Mar. 30, the Board took two significant actions. First, the creation of the position of Provost was voted to function as the Chief Operations Officer, focusing on day-to-day operations and execution of strategy. Second, the Board asked Dr. Andreasen to continue his service as President, and he agreed.
"With the two actions of today, the Board believes that the revised administrative structure will assist in achieving the mission and financial goals of Andrews University and will permit the President more time to focus on the global role of Andrews University and its relationship to its external constituencies.
"We believe that this revised administrative structure will be a critical contribution to the institution’s success in the future."
University Relations press release
