The search for permanent replacements for the interim dean and director positions created by the “Pathways” plan might last a little longer than expected, the provost’s office said.

The search process has yet to begin, according to Brenda Joyner, assistant provost, and the committees have not been formed.

Joyner said no committees have yet been formed.

Walter Harris, university provost, wrote in an e-mail earlier this year that “We hope to have (permanent) persons in place to assume the positions by July 1.”

These replacements will be named after committees are formed and the search in underway. In late August, Harris said that once the committees are formed, the searches should take about a year.

Shortly after his appointment as interim dean, Larry Lorenz told The Maroon he’d be interested in finding a permanent replacement who is “young, vigorous, a strong teacher, researcher and administrator who can build strong foundations.”

The committee in charge of finding a replacement for Lorenz will consist of professors from different areas in the college, Harris said earlier this semester. Mass communication professors will make up the committee to select a new director of the School of Mass Communication, replacing the interim director, Robert Thomas, Harris said.

Both committees will report their findings to Harris and the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president, Harris said in an Aug. 21 interview.

Tara Templeton can be reached at [email protected].