Message from Chancellor Nancy Cantor to the University Community

Dear SU Community Members,

Having just celebrated a wonderful Orange Central weekend on campus and as we mark the midpoint of the Fall semester, I am writing to let you know that I have decided that the best way to ensure a smooth transition and to complete major projects is for me to step away from oversight of the day-to-day operation of the University.

I have consulted with Board of Trustees Chairman Dick Thompson about my plans, which will be effective as of Monday, October 14th. At the Executive Committee’s regularly scheduled meeting tomorrow, Chairman Thompson will recommend that Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric Spina be appointed Interim Chancellor, effective October 14th, so that he will be able to assume oversight of all day-to-day University operations until Chancellor-designate Kent  Syverud begins his tenure on January 13, 2014. Gratefully, Eric has agreed to assume this responsibility.

While I will remain in Syracuse and actively engaged with the University until mid-December, making this shift in leadership now will allow me greater time to provide assistance to Kent Syverud as he makes his transition, provide additional flexibility as I myself transition to Rutgers-Newark, and enable me to finish several key initiatives and fulfill a number of SU-related national speaking obligations during the next few months.

Although I will see many of you around campus before departing for Newark, I want to again offer my profound thanks for all that we’ve been able to achieve together and for what I know are great things yet to come for SU and for all who believe in the transformative power of higher education to make a difference in the lives of our students, our communities, and the world.

Cordially,

Nancy Cantor