Lorraine Aronson, associate vice president for institutional advancement, has been named vice president for financial planning and management, effective January 1, to replace Wilbur R. Jones, vice president for financial affairs for more than 11 years, who is retiring.

Aronson will have primary responsibility for overseeing long-range financial planning and management of the operating and capital budgets for all units of the University. She will work closely with the two chancellors to oversee budget development, monitoring, and reporting, will develop

financial policy and plans. She will serve as the University's point of contact for many external agencies, says President Philip E. Austin.

"We are fortunate that an individual of Lori's experience and expertise is available for the position," Austin says. "She is deeply committed to public education generally and to this University's transformation in particular."

Aronson is a graduate of Harvard University and holds a law degree from the Boston University School of Law. She has had a long career in public service, serving Governors O'Neill, Weicker and Rowland as Connecticut's deputy commissioner of education, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Income Maintenance (now the Department of Social Services) and deputy secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

She also is a member of the state Board of Trustees for the Hartford Public Schools.

Since coming to the University in 1995, she has focused on strategic planning, facilities master planning, and operating and capital budgets, and has played a key role in oversight of UConn 2000. She also has helped oversee the University's communications, events and development activities, among other tasks.

Edward T. Allenby, vice president for institutional advancement, says he plans to conduct a limited search for a replacement for Aronson.

"I have enjoyed every moment of my four years at UConn and am delighted that President Austin has given me the chance to take on a new role," says Aronson. "I consider it a true honor to follow in Wilbur's footsteps in contributing to the University's renaissance."

Jones, 64, a retired U.S. Air Force officer, has served under three University presidents, during a period when there were unprecedented changes in the administration of higher education. Jones conceptualized, advocated and implemented unprecedented flexible authority granted by the Legislature to UConn to manage its own hiring, purchasing, construction projects, and financial affairs.

"The University will miss Wilbur greatly. His depth and breadth of knowledge has helped the University make progress during a challenging period," says Austin.

Arriving during a period of severe financial austerity, Jones oversaw measures taken to cope with cuts and to eliminate a $14 million structural deficit. He also helped develop and implement UConn 2000, a $1 billion, 10-year program to renew, enhance and rebuild the University's campuses.

"I appreciate the opportunity I have had to be a team member to transform the University's operating environment, culture and capability for enhanced effectiveness and increased status in the higher education community," Jones says. "I will retire as a very satisfied employee because I believe that the state of the University compares very favorably with my charge and the University's aspirations at the beginning of my tenure."

Jones worked for six years as a staff officer in the Office of the Comptroller of the Air Force, and served for four years as a management staff auditor and audit supervisor with the Auditor General of the U.S. Air Force. He came to UConn from Howard University, where he spent 12 years, first as comptroller and then as assistant vice president.

Jones has been a member of the board of directors, Windham Community Memorial Hospital, and has been active in the National Association of College and University Business Officers. He is a certified public accountant, and has a master of business administration degree from Michigan State University.

Jones says he and his wife, Esther, will relocate to a more temperate climate.

Karen Grava