The process has begun to select a successor to Charles E. Phelps, provost at the University of Rochester and eminent health care economist, who plans to retire after 13 years as the University's chief academic officer.

Witt/Kieffer, a national executive search firm, will work with a 12-person search committee chaired by University President Joel Seligman. Finalists will be interviewed by the senior leadership group of the University, the senior leadership group of the Medical Center, representatives of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and a Board of Trustees Advisory Committee, which will be chaired by Hugo Sonnenschein, former president of the University of Chicago and a Rochester alumnus.

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. The review of applications will begin Jan. 15 and will continue until the position is filled. Details about the role of the provost, qualifications for the position, and related background information are available at www.rochester.edu/news/provost_search/index.html.

The search firm will handle all materials related to the selection process. They can be sent to the attention of Jean Dowdall, Alexander "Sandy" Williams or Elizabeth Bohan at RochesterProvost@wittkieffer.com or mailed to Witt/Kieffer, 2015 Spring Road, Suite 520, Oak Brook, IL 60523.