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June 22, 2009
Office closed, duties continue for chancellor

In an austerity move reflecting the new economic realities, President Jim Wagner and Chancellor Michael Johns have decided to shutter the Office of the Chancellor.

Since shortly after his appointment as chancellor in November 2006, Johns has maintained an office on the third floor of the Administration Building. As a professor in the schools of medicine and public health, as well as the University’s immediate past executive vice president for health affairs, he has also maintained an office in the new School of Medicine administration and education building.

Effective Sept. 1, he will give up the Administration Building office and return on a full-time basis to the School of Medicine.

“I have informed President Wagner that, given the financial challenges of the day, it is not appropriate for Emory to support the Office of the Chancellor on a continuing basis,” says Johns. “Although I will return to the faculty of medicine and of public health, I will be honored to remain at the service of Emory as chancellor.”

“Of course, I respect and accept Dr. Johns’ decision, but I have asked him to retain the title of chancellor so that he might continue to exercise leadership in the important tasks that have occupied his time in that role,” says Wagner. “Those projects include fundraising for the Emory Advantage financial aid program, representing Emory in matters related to public policy, most especially health care reform, and leading important reviews of how we might improve our institution’s programs in faculty and staff mentoring and succession planning.”

The position of chancellor is defined in the University’s bylaws as an advisor to the administration and the president who is appointed by the Board of Trustees. The bylaws do not specify any specific set of administrative duties.