Review on President Zillman’s appointment to be conducted

    PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine System is looking for community feedback on the appointment of Don Zillman as president of the University of Maine at Presque Isle.     Chancellor Rich Pattenaude is looking at the possibility of Zillman continuing as president beyond his current fixed-length term appointment, which ends June 30, 2008. Zillman stepped in as the University’s interim president two years ago.
    “While it is unusual to make an appointment without a search following a fixed-length term, my conversations with people at Presque Isle and my own observations lead me to think it is a course of action I should seriously consider recommending to the Board of Trustees,” Pattenaude said. “Don has stated that he would be willing to accept such an appointment if offered.”
    Dr. Allen Berger, Provost of the University of Maine at Farmington, will be in Presque Isle from Nov. 19 to 21 to conduct a campus and community review with a two-fold purpose. He will ask whether the UMPI community supports Zillman’s appointment without a search in order to continue the leadership now in place, and, if so, what guidance, advice and information the community would offer to ensure his success and effectiveness in the position.
    Berger will meet in scheduled sessions with individuals and groups representing students, faculty, staff, administration and members of the community in order to conduct this review. Mary Lawrence, president of the University Senate, will serve as coordinator of the review visit. Anyone who would like to meet individually with Berger may contact Lawrence at 768-9502 to schedule a confidential appointment.
    “I request that you participate in this review and contribute your thoughts and ideas so that we can make the best decision for the future of the University of Maine at Presque Isle,” Pattenaude said.