Administrator Barrows steps down

Student affairs area reorganized

Paul W. Barrows, vice chancellor for student affairs, announced today (Nov. 4) that he is stepping down from his position, effective immediately. Program areas managed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs will be reorganized, but will continue to deliver students services efficiently and effectively.

“Over the last several months, I have been trying to address some changing family circumstances and I need to put my focus in that area at this time,” Barrows says.

Following a period of planned personal leave, Barrows will develop a feasibility study for a Milwaukee-based PEOPLE program office and will complete several ongoing fund-raising efforts for both PEOPLE and Posse programs. As part of Plan 2008, the university’s comprehensive initiative to increase campus diversity, Barrows was instrumental in developing the PEOPLE program, which offers minority and economically disadvantaged students from Madison, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and the Ho Chunk and Menominee Indian Nations the opportunity to acquire the skills, information and resources needed for college.

“I’m looking forward to PEOPLE program development for the Milwaukee area, and I am grateful to Chancellor [John D.] Wiley for allowing me the opportunity to continue to enhance one of most grassroots and successful programs in the areas of diversity,” Barrows says.

“Paul has provided thoughtful leadership during his 15 years here, and has helped guide the university in a number of critical areas, most notably in student government and in developing new initiatives that address campus climate and make it possible for pre-college students to experience the university and all that a college education can offer them,” Wiley says.

Barrows was named vice chancellor for student affairs in July 1999 by former Chancellor David Ward. Barrows had previously served as associate vice chancellor for academic services and campus diversity.

As vice chancellor for student affairs, Barrows oversaw the Registrar’s Office, the Office of Student Financial Services, the Office of Admissions, Orientation and New Student Programs, ISIS, the PEOPLE and Posse programs, student diversity issues, the Dean of Students Office and University Health Services.

The change in leadership and the changing nature of student services in higher education present the university with an opportunity to reorganize and restructure the area of student affairs, says Wiley, noting that there are no plans to replace Barrows’ vice chancellor position. Wiley adds that a reorganization of the student affairs area does not change the university’s commitment to its programs and will better connect them to existing areas of the university. He has announced the following reorganization:

• Registrar Joanne Berg will serve as an associate vice chancellor for enrollment management and continue as registrar, reporting to Provost Peter Spear. She will oversee the Office of Admissions, directed by Robert Seltzer, and the Office of Student Financial Services, directed by Steve Van Ess.

• The PEOPLE and POSSE programs and other Plan 2008 initiatives will now report directly to the Provost’s Office.
• Dean of Students Luoluo Hong will report to the chancellor, through the Provost’s Office, the same organizational structure that exists for academic deans. Hong will add the Orientation and New Student Programs Office, directed by Wren Singer, to her administration of a range of programs designed to support the university’s more than 41,000 students.
• University Health Services, directed by Kathleen Poi, will report to Vice Chancellor for Administration Darrell Bazzell.

Barrows began his career at UW–Madison in 1989 as a special assistant to former Chancellor Donna E. Shalala, providing campus leadership for the Madison Plan and other areas. He was named an associate dean in the Graduate School in 1991 before being promoted to associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and director of academic services in 1994. He was given the responsibility of campus diversity in 1997.

Barrows also is a faculty associate in the departments of history and African studies, and has taught courses in both subjects.