Why The Wait For Vitter’s Investiture?

Commencement 2016. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Communications

Yesterday, we answered the question ‘what is an investiture?’ Ahead of tomorrow’s ceremony officially inducting Chancellor Jeff Vitter as the University of Mississippi’s 17th Chancellor, we answer the question ‘why does it take so long?’

Following traditions and customs, assisted by the Council for Advancement and Support of Higher Education (CASE) the University delays the time in between naming a chancellor and officially investing them with the power of their office. The main goal of this extended period of time is to allow the individual, Vitter in this case, to become familiar with the campus and get a clear sense of what the new vision may become for the university.

“The goal is for the chancellor to establish his plan for the university; it allowed him to identify its strengths and weaknesses,” provost Morris Stocks said. “It allows him to identify the problems we face and how to fix them while implementing his own unique interests and ideas into a plan to help make the University a better place. 

It’s been nine months since Jeff Vitter arrived at the University of Mississippi’s campus, and since then, he has worked to get to know this storied university and understand its past, present and future. In Vitter’s speech on Thursday, he will officially unveil his vision for the university, and while Stocks and other have been involved in the planning process of the ceremony, they have not yet heard Vitter’s speech. 

“I’m excited about the future of this university under his leadership. While I do not know exactly what he’ll say, I do know what is important to him, and I look forward to the vision that he will present and lead us toward,” Stocks said. 

In an often divisive time, the new chancellor will face the challenges of a public with different views across the board, but Stocks believes he is the right man for the job. 

“We are fortunate to have an incredibly diverse university, and the chancellor has been very consistent since he arrived that we are led by our creed,” Stocks said. “His message tomorrow will work to continue to unify students, staff and alumni alike.” 

The Investiture for Chancellor Vitter is tomorrow at 3 p.m at The Ford Center, and the Live Stream can be seen here on HottyToddy.com via Ole Miss Communications. 

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com. 

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