Joakim Palme proposed as new vice-rector

Current Vice-Rector Tora Holmberg has been proposed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University. The governing board of Umeå University decided at a meeting on 5 December to propose to the government the appointment of Tora Holmberg as the new Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.

In line with this anticipated decision, the process to appoint a new vice-rector for the Disciplinary Domain of Humanities and Social Sciences has begun. The nominating committee of the Disciplinary Domain of Humanities and Social Sciences’ electoral assembly has proposed that Joakim Palme, currently Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, become the new vice-rector.

Reasoning

The nominating committee gives the following reason for its proposal in the minutes of its meeting:

“Joakim Palme is Professor of Political Science and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and he has extensive management experience. He is also well acquainted with activities in the field of humanities and social sciences, as well as with the overall management and governance of the University. Palme enjoys widespread confidence across the disciplinary domain, among students and the University Management, and is also willing to take up the position of vice-rector relatively quickly.”

Next steps

The proposal was presented at a meeting of the electoral assembly on 9 December. The electoral assembly decided at the meeting to hold a hearing on 13 January with Joakim Palme.

After the hearing, the electoral assembly will hold another meeting to decide on the proposal for vice-rector to then submit to the Vice-Chancellor for approval. It is therefore the Vice-Chancellor who formally appoints the vice-rector on the proposal of the electoral assembly.

As Palme is currently Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, a new dean will of course need to be appointed for the Faculty of Social Sciences if he becomes vice-rector.

Anders Berndt