Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah Freund of Syracuse University, who was the University of California, Los Angeles’ top candidate as its new chancellor, declined the offer on May 11. Eight days later, she resigned from her position at SU as well.

Freund cited pursuing new academic and professional opportunities as her reason for leaving the university, according to a SU News press release.

‘I have had seven glorious years as vice chancellor and love SU with all my heart. For some time I have been thinking about exploring new challenges and believe the time is right for me to take on a leadership position at a major university.’ Freund said, according to SU News Services.

Chancellor Nancy Cantor commended Freund’s commitment to the university during her last seven years as its vice chancellor and provost.

‘She has recruited and selected outstanding deans, seeded important interdisciplinary programs, and demonstrated Syracuse University’s overall commitment to building a diverse community and challenging and retaining our students.’ Cantor said in the press release. ‘We are all proud and delighted that Debbie is taking the next step in her academic and professional career and that she will be seizing new and exciting leadership opportunities in the months ahead.’

Cantor and Freund could not be reached for comment.

Freund would have replaced UCLA’s Chancellor Albert Carnesale, who has served as the university’s eighth chancellor since 1997.

Freund also would have been the university’s first female chancellor, a decision that Freund said has left her regretting the missed opportunity, according to a May 13 article in the Los Angeles Times.

SU University Spokesman Kevin Morrow could not be reached for comment as to what steps SU has taken in recruiting a new vice chancellor and provost.

The advisory committee responsible in appointing a replacement chancellor at UCLA met with the UC Board of Regents’ Committee on Educational Policy on June 5 regarding the acquisition of UCLA’s ninth chancellor, according to a June 5 article in The Daily Bruin.

UC Spokesman Paul Schwartz could not be reached for comment on the outcome of the meeting and to confirm whether Chancellor Carnesale will have to remain at the university while the advisory committee searches for a new replacement. Prior to Freund declining UCLA’s offer, Carnesale was set to step down from his position on June 30.

Published on June 29, 2006 at 12:00 pm