Capaldi Leaves for Albany

As Elizabeth D. Capaldi's official final week as provost draws to a close, her colleagues in Capen Hall praised the accomplishments of her 3 1/2 year term.

"Provost Capaldi's contributions to our university community and her dedication to helping UB achieve excellence in everything we do will have a lasting impact at UB," said President John B. Simpson.

On Feb. 1, Vice Provost Robert Genco will officially become interim provost. According to Simpson, a permanent provost will be named within six months.

As Genco moves to the provost's office suite on the fifth floor of Capen, Capaldi will join the staff of SUNY Chancellor Robert E. King in Albany.

Her new job as vice-chancellor and chief of staff is the second-ranking position in the SUNY system. Capaldi, who is in the process of moving, said the job comes with hefty responsibility.

"My assignment is to be the main campus liaison for the 64 campuses of the system," stated Capaldi in an e-mail. "I will coordinate the work of the other vice chancellors to help build quality in the system."

Capaldi said she is looking forward to her new position.

"Certain functions report directly to me, including public relations and government relations," she stated. "It's a wonderful job."

During her time in Buffalo, Capaldi gained respect for guiding UB out of a crippling budget crisis, investing in research, and incrementally improving academic standards.

Under Capaldi's watch, the Center for Teaching and Learning was re-instituted, five new deans were hired, and the new positions of vice provost for academic affairs and dean of graduate school were established.

Capaldi's list of accomplishments also includes the creation of the Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach and the UB Scholars Program.

"(STOR) is helping produce income for the university through technology transfer and helping Buffalo in economic development," she stated. "(The Scholars program) has been a huge factor in improving quality of the undergraduate class."

In her time here at UB, Capaldi also introduced the UB Distinguished Professors and awards for teaching and for research.

"These awards help," Capaldi stated. "Faculty get too little recognition for their great work."

She also started two new schools - Informatics and Public Health and Health Professions - which help facilitate research.

"We went up 28 percent last year in federal research awards," she stated. "That's an important quality measure for the university."

A quality measure that was only made possible, said Vice President for Student Affairs Dennis Black, by the quality of Capaldi's hard work and enthusiasm.

"Betty loved what she did at UB and it showed," he said. "She came to the university with vigor and a plan, and worked very hard to provide real benefits to the campus and the community. With the start of this new year, UB looks to the new leaders with new vigor and with new plans."

But for all of Capaldi's accomplishments and accolades, there is one thing she would have done differently if she had a second chance.

"I would have liked to have spent more time with students," she stated. "If you had one coordinated governance group, it would be easier for us to get to know you."

Last fall, Capaldi told The Spectrum she would miss Wegmans once she relocated to Albany. As she prepared to leave, however, she said she would also miss UB's unique community.

"I will miss the people and strong support for the university," she stated. "It's a real community here and they love UB."

As UB breaks new ground with new leadership, Simpson gives his best regards to Capaldi.

"Certainly the significance of her new appointment at SUNY speaks to the depth of her ongoing commitment to public higher education," he said. "On behalf of the university, I wish Provost Capaldi well in her new endeavors at SUNY, and extend my appreciation for her service to UB."