Hall accepts position at SUNY: USU to lose 14th president in February
After four years of instigating change at Utah State University, President Kermit L. Hall will be leaving USU Feb. 1 to begin his new position at State University of New York at Albany.
Hall, although initially declining the offer from the east coast school four or five months ago, was unanimously approved by the SUNY Board of trustees Dec. 29, 2004.
The school offered Hall a chance to visit and discuss the position at Albany in December and “things kind of developed” from there, Hall said. Although Hall is leaving USU, he said he was not unhappy, but has found many similar interests at SUNY.
“It wasn’t a case of being unhappy at Utah State,” Hall said. “I really enjoyed and learned a great deal [there].”
Hall will reportedly earn $280,000 a year at Albany – a $48,000 increase from his position at USU – and will also receive a vehicle and a residence or housing allowance.
Hall said his appointment will benefit SUNY in the areas of economic development, public service, public policy and providing leadership, not only for the campus, but for the community as well.
“They were very interested in finding someone with a [national profile],” Hall said as one of the main criteria SUNY board members took into consideration in electing Hall.
However, Hall said SUNY is a significantly different university and “it will be a big challenge,” for him. SUNY has about 170 graduating doctorate students a year, Hall said, compared to about 60 at USU.
Although Hall said he can benefit the Albany school with more direction in increasing fundraising and solving significant budget issues, he said he realizes he is leaving USU during many changes he has instigated.
“Innovation Campus is really starting to take off,” Hall said. “I was really thrilled we could get us in the Western Athletic Conference. I think we have made some excellent progress [at USU].”
With Hall’s nearing departure from USU, he said he will miss the students the most.
“What I’ll miss most about Utah State are the students. I think the students have been a remarkable group,” he said. “I feel sadly about leaving behind a group of talented students that are really concerned about the university.”
With Hall’s departure, he said there will be “no parties, no soirees, no nothing.”
“I don’t believe in big comings, and I don’t believe in big goings,” he said.
According to a Jan. 7 press release, USU Board of Regents Chair Nolan E. Karras appointed a committee to develop a plan for replacing Hall. A possible interim replacement is USU Provost Stan Albrecht, Hall said.
Hall said he did not know who the candidates for interim president are, but would like to see Albrecht be appointed.
“I think Stan would be a wonderful choice. He was the person that was No. 2 for the job when I got it,” he said. “He has experience and knows the university.”
The University of Albany, which is part of the SUNY system, has more than 17,000 students and is one of the 64 campuses in the SUNY system.
-kcashton@cc.usu.edu