Thursday, March 6, 2008
He’s second in command to Chancellor Robert Hemenway and most students don’t even know his name.
“Who is the provost anyway?” Anna Czarnecki, Overland Park freshman, said.
He has a soft voice and strong ideas. He can speak three languages fluently, four with some difficulty. He has written three books in Sanskrit and has just returned from his annual trip to India.
Richard Lariviere, provost and executive vice chancellor, came to the University in 2006 leaving his position as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas. Now the deans report to him.
In addition to being the provost, Richard Lariviere speaks three languages, has published three books in Sanskrit and has taken annual trips to India
“This student body is much smaller than Texas so there’s a more personal feel here,” Lariviere said.
He is the chief academic officer, responsible for implementing the academic mission of the University: superior education. Basically, this means frequent traveling and constant meetings. His day is divided among students, facility, donors, alumni and legislators, business that starts at 7:30 a.m. and doesn’t end until 8 p.m. However, his list of duties doesn’t stop there.
“At KU, the provost is also the chief operating officer which means I have to make sure the side walks are shoveled,” Lariviere said.
Lariviere said the best part of his job is serving the students. Recently the provost office created an online advising kit saving students and faculty valuable time. Now an advisor can look up students’ appointment histories so when a student arrives, they can dive right into business.
“I think my favorite, no, I know my favorite part is when something that the provost office does makes it easier for the faculty and the students to do what they are here to do,” Lariviere said.
He said if he could have things his way, there would be more money, more space, more faculty and better weather. Lariviere is also hopeful for Americans to open up their eyes. He travels to India on business and is fascinated by the dynamic economy in that region. He finds it discouraging that so many students consider India inferior to the United States.
“That’s a mistake. It’s one of the issues we need to work on in higher education in America the level of ignorance of not just our students but the population in general of what’s really happening in the rest of the world,” Lariviere said.
He’s always been interested in how law and religion work together to shape society. Fluent in French and Hindi, if there’s one person that is aware, it’s Lariviere.
“He really understands the world which is tremendously helpful when it comes to education,” Director of University Communications Lynn Bretz said.
Lariviere is able to read half a dozen different languages and write published works in the Indian language Sanscrit, which can be found in the Watson Library. He can’t recite all the places he’s been without stopping for air.
“I’ve been to all the countries of Europe, most countries of Asia and South America, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Northern Africa and Texas,” Lariviere said.
With such worldly experience he is able to see the University through a unique perspective. Lariviere said he has a definite vision for the University that he wants to achieve.
“KU is a really good institution it’s a lot better than the rest of the world knows, it’s even better than members of community understand,” Lariviere said. “I would like to see KU take its rightful place in that pantheon of institutions that everybody instinctively thinks of when they think of great education.”
—Edited by Jared Duncan
New Provost gives first impressions of the ...
Provost to be appointed Oregon president
Richard Lariviere was named the finalist for the University of Oregon’s search ...
Provost to be appointed Oregon president
Richard Lariviere was named the finalist for the University of Oregon’s search ...
Shortage of teachers becoming a problem
Certain programs continue to be implemented to help the School of Education ...
In economic down times, University research booms
Even though federal funding is in short supply, it still manages to ...
GTAs demand a vote for faculty hires
Eight GTA organizations sent a letter to the provost regarding their loss ...
Council seeks to spur Hispanic enrollment
Provost creates council to attempt to draw in more minority students.
Editorial: Professors should focus on teaching, not ...
Opinions differ when research is discussed on campus.
Living in limbo
Even though undocumented students are allowed to attend the University, they must ...
Investigation of leaked documents underway
The University of Kansas has formed a committee to investigate the documents ...
Regents vote for fixed tuition
The Kansas Board of Regents moved one step closer to giving students ...
Leaving a lasting legacy
As Hemenway prepares to retire, he and others look back at how ...
The University stays alcohol-free
The Provost rejects the proposal to sell beer at Jaybowl.
Provost may leave University for Oregon
The University of Oregon in Eugene has named Provost Lariviere as a ...
Editorial: Leadership changes come during uncertain time
Amid budget cuts and an uncertain economy, the next chancellor and provost ...
Chancellor names interim provost
Joseph Steinmetz, CLAS dean, will take over as provost on July 1.
University suspends faculty discounts
Tightening budget leads to temporary removal of basketball, Lied Center ticket discounts ...
Business School offers study abroad in India
For the first time, business students will study abroad in India over ...
KU agrees to raise GTA salaries
KU depends on outside arbiter’s opinion before making changes. Arbiter advises limited ...
A question of identity
The Comanche Nation informed KU that a professor who claims he's Comanche ...
Search for new provost begins
The University formed committees to find new provost and two deans.
Provost to retire in June
Officials conclude investigation on private documents
Jack Martin, deputy director of communications stresses importance of document disposal.
Students, faculty share mixed feelings on diversity
Despite the number of minority students increasing over the past 10 years, ...
Organization provides internships abroad
Ashlee Crowl has traveled all over Europe, and thanks to a student-run ...
Hemenway spends days researching
After retiring, the former chancellor works in the Hall Center working on ...
Editorial: Students should monitor threatening budget cuts
Students need to know how proposed cuts could affect them.
Senior promotes studying abroad in Germany
After his own meaningful study abroad experience in the country, Andreas Graf ...
Programs certifying more students
More students are involved in University programs dealing with service, research and ...
CLAS dean named interim provost
Joseph Steinmetz will temporarily take over for Richard Lariviere.
CITIZEN DOLPH: A rare look at the ...
You may not recognize his name, but Dolph Simons Jr., chairman of ...
New programs draw in Confucius Institute
New student conduct officer seeks proactive approach
One of Nick Kehrwald’s responsibilities includes changing culture of hazing.
Campus looks to update warning systems
The early response of the KU Public Safety Office in last March's ...
New book praises University's academics
New evaluations will benefit teachers and students
To stop complaints from both students and teachers of current evaluations, a ...
Letter encourages students to embrace new Provost
University of Texas academic advisor Othell Ballage Jr., encourages everyone at the ...
Alumnus discusses genes
Many students have shown their interest in using their education at the ...
Emergency alert system still under development
University continues work on system to warn students of campus emergencies via ...
University uses Second Life for nurses training
The department of teaching and learning technology virtually prepares nursing students in ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID