With members of the Associated Students of UCLA still reeling
from the sudden announcement of resignation from its executive
director, plans are already under way to search for possible
replacements to the post.
Patricia Eastman announced her resignation as executive director
for ASUCLA late Friday as board members of the association convened
for the first monthly meeting since the start of the school
year.
Several board members expressed their regret at Eastman’s
impending departure.
Maggy Athanasious, ASUCLA board chairwoman, said Eastman was
instrumental in getting the association back on track during the
late 1990s.
“I’m definitely sorry to see her go. She has done a
lot for all the time she’s been here,” said Randy Hall,
a graduate student representative to the students’
association board of directors and chairman of the personnel
committee.
Hall said an interim director will likely be appointed by the
end of Eastman’s term, when her resignation becomes effective
on Dec. 31.
“We’re fairly confident that she will continue to do
a good job until then,” he said.
Hall added that the search for the association’s new
director would begin sometime in January, when the interim director
takes up the position.
“This is a very important position on campus, and
(Eastman) has said that she will do anything to help make the
transition period easier for the incoming person,” he
said.
The last time ASUCLA conducted a similar search for its highest
post was in early 1996, just before Eastman was appointed as
executive director of the association.
During that period, an outside executive search firm was hired
to look out for potential candidates to replace then-outgoing
director Charles Mack. The firm then submitted its recommendations
to a selection committee composed of students, alumni and
administrators.
After an intensive six-month evaluation process, Eastman was
chosen by the committee and recommended to the chancellor for final
approval. Members of the selection committee cited Eastman’s
abilities to negotiate with various groups and talents in business
forecasting as their main reasons for choosing her over other
candidates.
The executive director is responsible for overseeing all ASUCLA
operations, including the various food facilities and stores on
campus.