Provost To Leave With Ewu Chief Hoffman Decision Lets New President Hire No. 2

Eastern Washington University’s second in com mand, James Hoffman, will step down next year after the school finds a new president to replace Mark Drummond.

News of Hoffman’s departure comes on the heels of Drummond’s announcement that he is leaving next June.

Hoffman, 55, has been discussing his plans with Drummond for the past six months, said Stefanie Pettit, university spokeswoman.

Hoffman could not be reached for comment.

He planned his departure to coincide with the graduation of his son from Stanford University next spring, said James Kirschbaum, an EWU trustee.

However, Dana Elder, president of the Faculty Organization, said Hoffman told him he was resigning so Eastern’s new president could hire his or her own staff.

“Jim thinks this is best for the well-being of the students and the university,” Elder said.

As provost, Hoffman oversees Eastern’s four college deans. He deals with curriculums, job evaluations and teacher staffing. He earns $108,000 a year.

“The provost normally is the No. 1 supervisor of the academic portion of a university’s operations,” Elder said. “This is a really influential role, a 24-hour-a-day job.”

Hoffman came to Eastern in 1991 after having been a dean and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh since 1984.

He has a doctorate in geology-geochemistry and a master’s in geology, both from Michigan State University.

, DataTimes