After months of applications and interviews, the search for the next Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs has been reopened. Neither of the finalists for the role accepted the position. Dr. Jerald Ogg, Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, has been named the interim vice chancellor of student affairs.

Chancellor Nick Dunagan announced the decision to reopen the search on Friday, May 20 through a campus-wide e-mail to faculty and staff. No timetable has been set for when the next VCSA would be named. Dunagan said that the search process would resume later this fall.

Dr. Leroy Durant declined the position earlier this week. Durant is currently the vice president for Student Development Services and assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice at Claflin University. Previously, Durant has been the vice president of Student Life at Jackson State University, and the dean of students at Grambling State University.

The second candidate, Interim VCSA David Belote, will work to complete his doctoral program at the University of Memphis. Belote has also worked at UTM in the positions of assistant vice chancellor of Student Affairs, director of Student Life, and director of Campus Recreation.

"Earlier this week, I met with David Belote and after extensive discussions we decided that the best option for [UTM] was to fill the position with a doctorate level person," said Dunagan.

Dunagan went on to praise Belote's service to the university.

"David has served admirably in his 30 years at UTM and as Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for two separate periods. The entire campus owes him a great debt of gratitude for his service to the University and I look forward to his return to his Assistant Vice Chancellor position and to the completion of his doctorate," said Dunagan.

Belote will continue to serve as Interim Vice Chancellor until June 30, 2006. At that time, another interim will be named to fill the position.