A top-level administrative official is planning to leave St. Edward’s University, but remains in his position for the time being.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Robert Manzer said that he has decided to explore other opportunities less than two years after joining the university in July 2008. Manzer remains in his position as he completes existing projects, but does not work on campus.

All six school deans on campus had reported directly to Manzer, who reports to Sr. Donna Jurick, the university’s provost and executive vice president. That responsibility, Manzer said, was created when he joined the university. Before Manzer’s arrival, the deans reported directly to Jurick.

Jurick has since reassumed those duties, and the deans will report directly to her for the next year.

“There is such a thing as an organizational fit, and it just didn’t work out,” Jurick said.

Jurick and Manzer said that they mutually decided there was too much space between the deans and the university’s administration. Manzer also said that Jurick offered him a new position, but he had declined.

Jurick confirmed that conversations about a new position took place, but said it would be inappropriate to disclose the position that she and Manzer discussed.

The structure the university put in place in 2008 was partially to alleviate Jurick of some responsibility, she said, but added that there were other contributing factors.

“You try certain things at certain times with organizational structures,” Jurick said. “The whole situation did not work as we hoped it would.”

She said that the university will make decisions about where to go with the structure next year. Then, she said, the university will have to decide first whether to hire someone to replace Manzer, and then decide what the job title and responsibilities that person will hold.

Jurick did not say, however, that the university would not try the same basic structure again.

“Those are decisions that haven’t been made,” Jurick said. “At the moment, we are not hiring.”

In an e-mail, Manzer said that he is excited to pursue other opportunities. Manzer also said he is grateful to serve with Jurick, university President George Martin, the school deans and the university’s “gifted” staff and faculty.

“I want to stress how much I have benefited from my time at St. Edward’s,” Manzer said. “St. Ed’s is truly an amazing place that can and does serve as an example for all of American higher education.”

Jurick said that she wishes Manzer all the best in his job search.

“Rob is very bright,” Jurick said. “He generously contributed his talents to St. Edward’s during his time here.”

 

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