President Philip E. Austin and other senior members of the University have taken steps to ensure that when Chancellor Mark Emmert leaves June 30 to take a job as chancellor at Louisiana State University, the transition will be a smooth one.

Last month, Austin announced that Ronald Taylor, a sociology professor and director of the Institute for African American Studies, will serve as chair of a 19-member search committee charged with finding a replacement for Emmert.

Taylor is optimistic about the outcome. "This could actually be a good time for UConn to be in the market for a chancellor," he says. "There may be some very good people who are really anxious to join us as the University moves forward. This could be an attractive job."

The committee hopes to forward the names of three candidates for the job to the president by October. Austin will then select his second in command.

Austin also announced last month that during the search, Fred Maryanski will serve as interim chancellor.

"Fred has a long record of service to the University as a member of our faculty and, for the last several years, as a key administrator, " Austin said.

"I am delighted he has accepted this assignment."

Robert Baldwin, who has been serving as interim dean of the Division of Extended and Continuing Education, will take on Maryanski's former role during the search process.

Taylor, whose committee already has met several times, also will use the services of Korn Ferry Associates, a national search firm, to locate candidates and screen applicants. Korn Ferry staff will join the committee during the interview process.

Taylor says the position will be advertised nationally and he encourages faculty and staff to submit the names of potential candidates or ask the candidates to apply.