A search will begin next week for a new assistant vice chancellor for academic and student affairs to aid the “grossly understaffed” Board of Regents office.

A candidate might be available for approval at the October Regents’ meeting, said David Williams, Regents vice chancellor for academic affairs. A committee from the Regents’ office will recommend a candidate to Williams.

Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves will make a final recommendation for the board’s approval based on the committee’s findings.

The Regents govern NIU, Illinois State University in Normal and Sangamon State University in Springfield.

Board regulations require the board to have authorization for all major administrative positions prior to hiring. The position was previously authorized in 1986 under then-Chancellor William Monat, but funding was not made available until this year.

After the position was authorized under Monat, it was filled on a temporary part-time basis by Judith Everson from SSU. After a re-organization of the Regents office in 1987, the position was re-authorized to include other responsibilities in the academic and student affairs areas.

“With the work that must be done in the office, we have not been able to do it on a timely basis,” said Williams.

Specific duties of the assistant vice chancellor position will include reviewing standing programs and analyzing new programs for approval for the Regency schools. Program reviews are done on a five-year basis to update any changes made in departments and fields of study.

Williams said the position will offer a salary between $30,000 and $40,000 and will be funded in fiscal year 1990 as part of the minority transfer project which includes funds appropriated from the state of Illinois.

“The duties will support his (Groves) efforts and the efforts of this office in minority student initiatives and increasing minority student retention,” said Ted Heidloff, assistant vice chancellor for personnel administration.

The search will be concentrated in the Midwest, but candidates sometimes are contacted through the Regents’ Springfield office and come from other parts of the country. After advertisements for the position are finalized, placement directors at the Big Ten and the Regency schools will be contacted, Heidloff said. Advertisements for the position also will be placed in the Chicago Tribune and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.