Administrative shuffle in store for next year

Starting in January 1998, the Yale Administration will undergo some major changes. This bureaucratic shakeup includes the creation of a new administrative post, the division of two formerly joined administrative departments, and a transfer of certain fundraising and alumni matters to the Office of the Secretary.

Yale's decision to further tie itself to New Haven through the creation of the Office of New Haven Affairs necessitated a new post within the administration. President Richard Levin, GRD '74, decided to name Bruce Alexander, BK '65, to the new position of Vice President and Director of New Haven and State Affairs on Thurs., Aug. 28. Levin selected Alexander because of the latter's status as a national leader in urban revitalization. His duties include overseeing Yale's role in the social and economic development of New Haven and Connecticut.

Another change in Yale's bureaucracy creates new responsibilities for some top University administrators.

Terry Holcombe, SY '64, announced his retirement from his current position as Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs, effective December 31, 1997. Rather than hiring a new person to fill the position, Levin transfered Holcombe's duties to University Secretary Linda Koch Lorimer, LAW '77.

Holcombe's responsibilites included leadership in the crucial sectors of fundraising and alumni relations. As Lorimer assumes these new duties, her developmental responsibilities will be handled by current Director in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs Charles Pagnam.

Alumni affairs will not be new to Lorimer. Among her current responsibilities is communicating with alumni one-on-one. Alexander will assume many of Lorimer's New Haven duties in May 1998. As the liaison officer to the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA), Lorimer will oversee the Yale Alumni Magazine and the actions of the AYA's Board of Governors. As a result, the Office of Development will have a greater focus on fundraising

The essential goal of this change is to better the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. "Not to say that the old system did not do justice to the office," Pagnam said, "but the opportunity to improve was presented to President Levin, and he took advantage of it."

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