UMKC reacts to departure of Chancellor Bailey

By:Kurt Kloeblen, Staff writer

UMKC CHANCELLOR Guy Bailey is leaving the university to accept the chancellor’s position at Texas Tech University.

For many staff and faculty at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Chancellor Guy Bailey’s announcement that he had taken the same position at Texas Tech University came as a shock.

In his three years at UMKC, Bailey had been credited with righting a school that had been on shaky ground.

“We were all fairly surprised,” Karen Vorst, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said. “We did try to understand, in fact, that he did have connections (to Lubbock, Texas) and his wife’s family is there. But we are sorry to see him go. He was really good for the campus, especially at a time when we had some instability.”

Bailey, who could not be reached for comment, assumes the helm at Texas Tech on Aug. 1. Before coming to UMKC, Bailey served as provost at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

On Monday, UMKC Board of Trustees Chair Leo Morton became interim chancellor.

Athletics Director Tim Hall said he is happy for Bailey, the man who hired him.

“My feelings are one of elation for him,” Hall said. “For him to have the opportunity personally and professionally, I know that’s important for him. It’s an opportunity for him to go home. That’s a strong draw and I think that’s understood by everybody.”

UMKC department heads said they have met with staff to calm concerns about the upcoming transition.

“I’ve met with our faculty,” Lora Lacey-Haun, dean of the College of Nursing, said. “We have finally gotten ourselves in a stable mode to move forward, so naturally we are concerned what that will mean to some of our goals we have set.”

Hall said he also met with staff to consider what the future holds.

“As much as we appreciate Dr. Bailey and his contributions, we feel strongly that we will continue on with the interim chancellor and through President (Gary) Forsee’s office,” Hall said. “That will continue with out new chancellor. We’re going to keep on keeping on.”

University of Missouri officials said Forsee will spend more time on the UMKC campus while the university sets up a search committee and looks for an interim chancellor. No committee members have been selected yet, but some faculty members have definite ideas of what they would like to see in the new chancellor.

“We need someone at the top, like a Guy Bailey,” Vorst said. “We need someone with vision and direction. We need vision and leadership at the top.”

Lacey-Haun said the School of Nursing has made numerous efforts to attract more students in light of the current nursing shortage.

“I hope the new and interim chancellor are aware of some of the strategies we have used to go with the nursing shortage,” Lacey-Haun said. “We got a lot of support from Dr. Bailey’s office. It’s a really important time in nursing.”

UMKC would be an attractive job for someone with the right qualifications, Hall said.

“I think it’s attractive both personally and professionally,” Hall said. “Professionally you have an opportunity to lead an institution that’s one of the strongest you could be a part of. There is a tremendous faculty and staff and great collaboration and integration in all areas.

“From a personal perspective, the quality of life here is great. The diversity of people, the arts, sports, restaurants is really attractive.”

Contact Kurt Kloeblen at (913) 385-6087 or kkloeblen@sunpublications.com.