Ex-UMaine provost to lead W. Michigan

Northern Michigan University’s president is expected to become the first female president in Western Michigan University’s 100-year history.

A search committee selected Judith L. Bailey, Northern’s president since 1997, to replace Elson Floyd, who left Western in January to take over as president of the University of Missouri. Bailey came to Northern from the University of Maine, where she served from 1995 to 1997 as a provost and vice president for academic affairs.

“What’s going to happen is the recommendation to hire her will be brought to the board of trustees on Friday, May 9,” said Cheryl Rowland, Western spokeswoman.

Rowland said she had no information on Bailey’s salary or contract terms. Bailey was selected by a 14-member presidential search advisory committee composed of Western trustees, staff, students, faculty and community members, Rowland said Thursday. Bailey, 54, is paid $213,000 at Northern. “I did not seek the Western presidency, but was sought out and I’m honored to be considered as the next leader of a nationally recognized major research institution,” Bailey said.

Northern board members said they would recommend Mike Roy, vice president for finance and administration, as interim president. If Bailey is approved at Western, Northern’s board will convene to consider Bailey’s resignation and study the interim president recommendation, Northern officials said.

Budget cuts dominated much of Bailey’s time over the past few months. State funding cuts and increased university costs required the university to trim about $10.2 million from its proposed 2003-04 budget.

The university is considering raising tuition as much as 10 percent and plans to lay off 58 employees and drop numerous programs.