University of Michigan. Vice President for Government Relations.

The Board of Regents in their January 1968 meeting approved the creation of the new position of Vice President for State Relations and Planning. This office was created as a response to the increasing costs of, as well as increasing demand for, higher education, in addition to keener competition for funds. The office was to serve as the focal point for the development of academic programs and capital plans within the university, and as an instrument for articulating these plans to the government of the state of Michigan. In addition, this office was to serve as the chief consultant to the President and all other vice presidents of the university on questions related to state government planning and relations. Previously, all of these functions had been carried out by a number of different units within the university.

Arthur M. Ross, former Commissioner of Labor Statistics for the United States Department of Labor, was appointed Vice President for State Relations and Planning effective July 1, 1968. Ross passed away suddenly in June 1970, and Fedele F. Fauri, Dean of the School of Social Work, was appointed as his successor. Fauri served in this position until his retirement in September 1974, whereupon the office was reorganized under the leadership of Richard L. Kennedy, Secretary of the University. Kennedy held the dual title Vice President for State Relations and Secretary of the University.

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