OU losing its top financial officer

Ohio University's senior vice president for finance and administration, William Decatur, has been selected as the next executive vice president for the Rhode Island School of Design. OU President Roderick McDavis announced Decatur's departure in a memo to the university community on Wednesday.

"œWhile it is always difficult to say goodbye to a valued member of our team, I know you will join me in extending gratitude to Mr. Decatur for all he has done for Ohio University and offering congratulations to him as he moves on to Rhode Island in January 2010," McDavis wrote in the announcement.

He added that he plans to name interim leadership within the next few days to take up the reins after Decatur's departure in January.

"I assure you that our university community's work to meet the budget challenges that Ohio University faces will proceed without hesitation or delay," he said. "Our Finance and Administration team has depth, talent, expertise and a commitment to make this transition seamless."

In the next few weeks, McDavis will invite members of the university community to serve on a search committee for leadership in Finance and Administration after Decatur's departure, he wrote in the announcement.

Decatur was named vice president for finance and administration, CFO and treasurer of OU in March 2006. He oversees the areas of Auxiliary Services, Budget Planning and Analysis, Facilities Management, Finance, Human Resources, the OU Police Department, and Safety and Risk Management.

Prior to his appointment at OU, Decatur held several executive leadership positions at the University of Toledo, including executive vice president for Finance, Technology and Operations, interim president, and vice president for Finance and Business. He previously served at Georgia State University, Shawnee State University and the Ohio Office of Budget and Management.