Excerpt from the Wright State Guardian
Wright State University College of Liberal Arts (COLA) Dean Linda Caron is retiring at the end of academic year 2021-2022. Dean Caron served WSU for 33 years, five of them as dean of the COLA.
“It’s a good time for new leadership. It’s a good time for me to just find something else to do and I don’t know what that’s going to be. I’m going to continue to dedicate myself to Wright State until the end,” Caron said.
According to Dean Caron, she took the ‘Faculty Voluntary Separation Plan.’ In an effort to reduce the size of the faculty, the university offered this plan to eligible faculty members who were willing to retire by Dec. 31, May 31, 2022, Aug. 31, 2022 or Dec. 30, 2022.
According to WSU’s Human Resources, the plan entails a bonus payment of up to $200,000, Emeritus Status, healthcare incentives and possible sick leave payment. Those who enroll in the plan give up recall rights, or the rights to teach at the university in the future.
WSU President Sue Edwards announced at the Sept. 20 Faculty Senate meeting that the search to replace Caron is set to take place in spring 2022.
Senator Hope Jennings raised the question of whether or not the search is going to be internal or external. Edwards confirmed that the search is external. External searches consider both existing faculty members and outside applications to fill a role.
It has not been revealed who will make up the search committee, or when the committee will officially start.
Additionally, associate COLA Dean Carol Loranger now serves as interim vice provost for faculty affairs. It is uncertain who will fill her position as Associate Dean.
