ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996 TAG: 9605300100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS
SOURCE: Associated Press
Christopher Newport University President Paul S. Trible Jr. has cut in half the number of colleges at the school in a pair of restructuring moves that he says will cut costs and serve students better.
Trible, a former U.S. senator who became the school's president at the beginning of the year, announced Wednesday that he has named a new provost, combined two colleges, created a new dean's position, reassigned a dean to a teaching position and asked for the resignation of another dean.
``This is part of the restructuring of the university,'' Trible said. ``We are focusing on what counts most: the classroom, our students and our faculty.''
Not everyone involved was willing to talk about the changes, however.
``I had nothing to do with the decision,'' said Virginia Purtle, who will lose her position as dean of the College of Social Science and Professional Studies. She will become a professor of sociology following a semester of educational leave.
Robert Doane, a professor of government and a lobbyist for the university, was named provost, overseeing the school's 165-member faculty. Doane will take over the duties of Jouett Powell, acting provost since last spring.
Powell, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities before being appointed acting provost, will become dean of the new College of Liberal Arts. The college is a combination of the College of Arts and Humanities and the College of Social Science and Professional Studies that Purtle headed.
Trible also said he has asked Robert Spicer, dean of students since August, to resign. Drumont Bowman, director of admissions, will become the interim dean of students.
Spicer did not return a telephone call to his home Wednesday night.
The moves announced Wednesday followed the May 16 merging of the College of Business with the College of Science and Technology to create the College of Science and Commerce.
George Webb, who had been interim dean of business and dean of science and technology, was appointed dean of the new school.
Trible said the changes were made after consultation by telephone with the board of visitors. He said the moves would alleviate bureaucracy, help serve students better and save money.
The changes reduced the number of colleges at Christopher Newport from four to two.
Purtle, who has been at the university since 1989, said her policy is to not discuss university business.
Trible said he was pleased with her performance. ``But the restructuring had left two dean's positions and three deans,'' he said. ``When the music stopped, there was one person left standing.''
He also praised Spicer as ``a fine fellow, and he works hard. But it was important for me to put together a new team.''
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