With two weeks remaining before the start of the fall semester, the College of Arts and Sciences has yet to appoint a dean.

However, Interim Provost Susan Awbrey plans to name an interim or acting CAS dean this week.

Former CAS dean Ron Sudol stepped down from the position after announcing his retirement on Aug. 14.

To find a new dean, Awbrey said there was an internal search within the school. A review committee consisting of the Executive Committee of the Assembly and one additional faculty appointee was also put together to help with the process.

“Faculty members within the school or college are asked to nominate candidates or apply for the position,” Awbrey said. “The Office of Academic Human Resources handles the application process. The Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives reviews the advertisement and candidate pools.”

Awbrey said the review committee helped determine criteria for the interim or acting dean position, evaluated applicant materials, reviewed the candidates and met with her to discuss the candidates and provide their hiring recommendations.

Robert Stewart, associate dean of the CAS, said the final decision as to who will fill this position will be determined by both Awbrey and OU President Gary Russi.

Once the decision has been made, it will first be announced to the College of Arts and Sciences and then to the Oakland community.

According to CAS associate dean Kathleen Moore, not much is known at this point about the search for a permanent dean.

The CAS is the largest college at OU, offering more than 75 majors and 16 departments.

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Contact Assistant Campus Editor Natalie Popovski via email at [email protected]