Dean of the College of Nursing, Julie Johnson, will resign at the end of the year, she announced yesterday.

Betty Freund, nursing lecturer, said the faculty received an e-mail from the dean yesterday announcing her resignation. They also received an e-mail from Provost Paul Gaston, detailing plans for the upcoming weeks and showing his support for the college.

Johnson will complete the semester, working until June 30, Gaston said. She arrived at the university in January 2005.

Johnson turned in her letter of resignation to Gaston Friday. He said he does not know why she is resigning.

Associate Dean Kathleen Huttlinger is also planning on leaving the university at the end of the semester, Gaston said. Both the dean and the associate dean will be here until the summer, but the university will have to find replacements for both. The university has not begun searching for an associate dean yet.

Gaston plans to meet with faculty and staff in the college soon after Spring Break to discuss plans for a replacement. In his e-mail to the faculty, Gaston said he will work with Johnson and Huttlinger to make the transition as constructive as possible.

“I’m determined that we turn it into something positive,” Gaston said. “It offers the college a time to assess its priorities.”

Gaston said he will meet with the College Advisory Council to decide how to fill the position. He said the university will eventually conduct a national search for a replacement, but when that will happen depends on the temporary option the university chooses.

Right now, the main options are:

– Appointing an interim dean and associate dean

– Hiring an associate dean and appointing an interim dean

– Temporarily realigning the college’s administrative structure

“I admire the College of Nursing for so many reasons: Its effectiveness as an educator, from the associate degree to the Ph.D.; its resourcefulness as a leader in research; its influence within the region, as the alma mater of many of the profession’s leaders in NE Ohio; and its influence on a profession still evolving, as is most evident in its commitment to informed practice and administration at all levels of health care,” Gaston said in his e-mail to the faculty. “I look forward to working with you not only to sustain, but to build the college’s strength.”

Johnson was unwilling to comment at this time and would only confirm that she will resign, effective June 30. She and the College of Nursing referred all questions to the provost’s office.

Contact administration reporter Rachel Abbey at [email protected].