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Davis says administrative experience makes him best pick for

Geosciences professor 1 of 5 candidates for position

Having held many administrative positions at the UA, George Davis is one of five remaining candidates for the university's position of provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Currently a professor of geosciences at the University of Arizona, Davis has held positions as high as the president of a university, while at the University of Vermont in 1992.

At the UA, Davis has been the department chair of geosciences from 1982 to 1986, and he then took over the position of vice provost for academic affairs from 1986 to 1989.

In 1989 Davis became an executive on the board of the Arizona Board of Regents and held that position through 1990.

When he returned to the UA in 1993, he began teaching again and has been coordinator of the faculty fellows program the past three years.

Davis said the administration that is now in place makes the position of provost more appealing.

"I'm attracted to the provost position because of the strong presidential leadership now," he said. "That, to me becomes a very attractive base."

The provost acts as a leader for the students and faculty and Davis said he feels one of the most important challenges for the incoming provost is keeping a high quality faculty.

"The retention and recruitment of really outstanding scholars is the foundation for a really effective teaching and outreach program," Davis said. "Faculty are attracted to a university like the University of Arizona."

"That really sets the stage for serving undergraduate and graduate students," he added.

While there are many reasons why faculty come and go, Davis said there must be a chance for growth - both for instructors and their salaries.

"(Faculty will stay) if they feel there are opportunities and if the salaries are competitive," Davis said.

Susan Beck, associate professor of geosciences, said Davis fills all the qualifications that the position requires.

"(Davis) would be an outstanding provost," Beck said. "He would bring an overall balance between research and teaching."

Davis is on sabbatical for the calendar year 2000 and is going to Scotland to learn more about the technical advances being made in the field of geoscience.

There are two forums for faculty, students and staff to meet with and question Davis. The first will be Wednesday, May 10, 4 to 5 p.m. in the Student Union Rincon Room and the second is Thursday May 11, 1 to 2 p.m. in the Arizona Health Sciences Library, Room 2102.