The Cadre -

15 September 1998

UPEI news 3

President Epperly resigns Dean of AVC becomes interim President

BY CINDY CAMERON

Dr. Elizabeth Epperly cited poor health as the reason behind her resignation from the office of President in June of this year. She has been replacedtemporarily by former Dean of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Lawrence Heider.

In an interview with CBC, Epperly explained that a viral infection has caused her health to decline, making it unWise to continue meeting the rigorous demands of the presi- dency, a position she has held since 1995.

“This is a condition | have been living with for the

lastthree years and more. They do not know exactly what this

is, but apparently contracted a viral infection in New Zea- land when wasthere in 1994,” Epperly explained. She de- scribed symptoms such ascon- gestion and a form ofasthma, which have affected her blood pressure.

“If] take eare of myself now...then I will be all right,” Epperly stated, “ButifI don’t [take care of my condition], I’m not going to be all right.”

Heider spent twenty- five years teaching veterinary medicine at Ohio State Uni- versity before being appointed as Dean of Atlantic Veteri- nary College in 1991. He has had ity to workclosely with Epperly during this time. His term as Interim President will last until June 30, 1999.

“She has been a tre- mendous force for good in the university, inmy estimation,” Heider explained. “I have tre- mendous respect for what she did here. I regret she could not complete her term because of health.”

“It was a loss to the University. There is no ques-

tion about it,” he added.

As Acting President, Heider intends to follow through on many of the plans made by Epperly, rather than to introduce any drastic changes. The on-campus health centre will remain, al- though the service will be modi- fied. There will also be minor changes in Student Develop- ment and the Registrar’s Of- fice. Further, Heider hopes that students will be able to register via the Internet sometime in the next year.

He affirms that his ad- ministration is committed to student satisfaction.

“We hope that our serv- ices meet the needs and ex- pectations of students. If they do not, we wantan opportunity to discuss that,” Heider as- serted.

Changes in administra- tion often bring about new styles of management. Many students are apprehensive about possible plans to cut pro- grams as a cost-saving meas- ure.

“I can’timagine that we are going to reduce the oppor- tunities here. Things may get reorganized, but course offer- ings will still be there,” Heider said. “If we try to specialize and refine further, then that means that we are going tocut something.”

“Do I havea vision that we are going tocut anything? Not just in the ten months that I’m going to be Acting Presi- dent, but beyond that: I don’t see it.”

The search fornew can- didates forthe Presidency will begin immediately, following the election ofa Search Com- mittee. Normally, the process isroutine, with the Committee

consisting of five members elected from the Board of Governors, and five members elected from the Senate. The term for Interim President ends on June 30, 1999.

Student Union President Matt Gray would like to see student input in the selection of the university's President.

“I'll be pushing for at least two students on a ten-

member board to pick a new president,” Gray said. “I think that is a reasonable thing to pursue. And | will throw my weight behind it.”

Right: Dr. Elizabeth Epperly

Below: UPEI students Shine- a-rama for Cystic Fibrosis Chris. L-R: Chris MacKinnon, Kristen Stavert, Allaby, Matt Stewart, Michael! Curley and Murray Adams

Melissa