University of Oregon President Michael Gottfredson has announced that Scott Coltrane, dean of the UO's College of Arts and Sciences, will serve as interim senior vice president and provost beginning July 1.

Coltrane will succeed Jim Bean, who is leaving the senior vice president and provost position to return to teaching in the Lundquist College of Business. Coltrane will serve in the interim role while a nationwide search is conducted to fill the position permanently.

"Dean Coltrane has served since 2008 as the head of our College of Arts and Sciences," Gottfredson said in a memo to faculty and staff. "He has also served as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and has extensive experience and familiarity with the fundamental issues facing our entire university – from the growth of recent years, to the space and staffing issues we are currently addressing, to facilitating our research mission."

The provost - the UO's chief academic officer – heads the university's academic programs and oversees the quality of teaching and research. The provost is charged with maintaining a high-quality faculty by providing leadership in appointments, promotions, working conditions and tenure.

"I would like to thank all those who submitted nominations to fill this interim position and I'd especially like to extend my appreciation to members of the Faculty Advisory Council who served as the selection advisory committee for this appointment," Gottfredson said in his memo to faculty and staff.

Coltrane, a professor of sociology, has focused his research in part on families and fatherhood, the domestic divisions of labor and gender inequality. Prior to joining the UO in 2008, he served for 20 years in a variety of teaching, research and administrative positions at the University of California at Riverside.

He received his bachelor's degree in community studies, and his master's degree and doctorate in sociology, all from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

- from the UO Office of Strategic Communications