University announces new senior counselor position

IU President Adam Herbert announced a new presidential post Thursday, according to IU officials. \nMaynard S. Thompson, a mathematics professor with IU administration experience, was named the senior counselor to the president. Thompson will be responsible for advising the president on a wide range of academic matters at all IU campuses, including policy development, and he will serve as a liaison to faculty organizations.\n"I am both delighted and deeply appreciative that Maynard Thompson has agreed to serve the University as senior counselor to the president," Herbert said in a statement. "I know how much he has enjoyed teaching on a full-time basis and recognize that his acceptance of this assignment is a major sacrifice."\nThompson began his career at IU in 1962 as a member of the mathematics faculty. He has held several administrative leadership positions, including department chairman, associate dean of the graduate school, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, dean of budgetary administration and vice chancellor.\n"President Herbert has said on a number of occasions that maintaining academic excellence is a big priority," said IU spokesman Larry MacIntyre. "He wanted someone full-time, in his office, working on just those academic issues. It's a full-time job, so he's gone to someone with a lot of experience at IU and in academic areas. That person will not only advise in policy but will be a liaison to the faculty."\nThompson currently earns $169,000 a year, according to the IU financial management services Web site. His new salary could not be obtained by press time.\nMacIntyre said Thompson's duties will also include representing Herbert at meetings that don't fit into the president's schedule.\n"There are a lot of faculty meetings Herbert would like to attend, but it isn't possible. Now he will have a representative there," MacIntyre said. "There are a lot of issues the president wants to dig into, and now he will have the opportunity to do it"