Picture Above: USF St. Petersburg Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock was as “surprised as anyone” when President Steve Currall announced his retirement from the presidency on July 19. Now, Currall hopes Tadlock will extend his time as regional chancellor through June 30, 2022.
Martha Rhine | The Crow’s Nest
By Michael Alden
Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock announced on Thursday he is negotiating with the USF administration to potentially extend his role into next year.
Speaking at the first in-person campus community forum in over a year on issues of campus stability, enrollment numbers and budget, Tadlock told those in attendance he may retain his current position beyond Dec. 31 to help search for candidates for several university positions.
“President Currall has asked that I extend my time as regional chancellor through June 30, 2022, which will allow the time needed for a national search for a new regional chancellor and vice chancellor for academic affairs vice provost,” Tadlock said. “I’m working with him on the details of that agreement.”
Speaking with The Crow’s Nest, Tadlock affirmed that the extension is still under consideration and has not been finalized.
“It’s not a done deal. It’s an ongoing conversation. There’s a lot of considerations related to personal and family concerns as well,” he said. “Then professionally, yes, I want to make sure this campus is in a good place. That is definitely a concern. That’s why I’m considering staying until the end of June to help that happen.”
President Steve Currall unexpectedly announced his retirement on Monday, effective Aug. 2. He cited health and family as reasons for his resignation. His two-year tenure as president will be the shortest in university history.
Tadlock said he was as “surprised as anyone” by the resignation and he “received the same announcement as everyone else.”
He wasn’t surprised, however, that Currall asked him to extend his role as regional chancellor of the St. Petersburg campus.
Currall reached out to Tadlock after announcing his departure plans earlier this week.
“We had actually mentioned that as a possibility a couple of months ago,” Tadlock said.
He anticipates the negotiations will be resolved before Currall’s departure.
“He’s president until Aug. 2,” Tadlock said. “I would think whatever we finally arrive at in terms of a possible extension will be done before then.”
Tadlock announced in January he would be stepping down from his position on Dec. 31 and return to teaching at the College of Education. He initially declined a one-year extension from July 2020 to July 2021 and opted instead for a six-month extension to give the university time to search for a successor.
He has been credited by faculty and students for his level-headed approach to university challenges such as consolidation and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tadlock sees the search to fill university positions as critical to maintaining campus stability.
“We will be moving these searches forward and pursuing people who have experience, who understand this campus, this place and this city,” he said. “Coming into those roles will be important to the stability of this campus.”
Whoever the next president may be, Tadlock assured they will have full support from the university.
“The support of a president lies on people in the community, the board of trustees, and the vice presidents and leadership teams. The presidential position, in my opinion, is not an island unto itself,” Tadlock said. “The president works with a whole array of constituents. All of the administration officials they work with have a responsibility to help the president be successful. No one can do that job on their own.”
Tadlock attempted to calm fears during Thursday’s forum and reassure faculty and staff that the future of the St. Petersburg campus remains promising.
“I know there is a lot of uncertainty with the departure of a president who chose to take a different direction for his life and career. Those things happen,” Tadlock said. “What matters here is what I tried to say earlier. Don’t get down, don’t get in the ditch. Stay above it.
“USF is great. It’s a nationally-ranked rising university with all the accolades,” Tadlock said. “Consolidation is a work in progress… We’ll continue to work toward that model that we all want to see that will make this the kind of place we want to stay and be.”
