As the overhaul of the Cornell Council for the Arts continues to draw opposition, the University launched a search for a new CCA director Thursday to oversee the transformation of the organization’s mission.

President David Skorton sat down with The Sun on Monday to discuss his decision-making regarding Greek life, staff cuts, suicide prevention and the controversial folding of the Africana Center into the College of Arts and Sciences.

Gathering outside Statler Hall, where the Board of Trustees was meeting, students protested the administrative decisioin to fold Africana into the College of Arts and Sciences on Friday.

The American Indian Program may move from its home in Caldwell Hall to various rooms in Kennedy Hall, according to a recent administrative proposal from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Director of Africana Research and Studies Center Prof. Robert Harris Jr. rescinded his resignation Friday as he led a group of 80 to 100 students and faculty in a march on Day Hall in protest of Provost Kent Fuchs’s decision, announced Wednesday, to fold the Africana Center into the College of Arts and Sciences.

In an effort to cut back on the proverbial Big Red tape, the University recently created an Initiatives Coordination Office. Provost Kent Fuchs announced the creation of the ICO on Dec. 16. As one of the newest Reimagining Cornell initiatives, the ICO seeks to maintain and augment efficiency in the face of the ongoing economic recession.

When Provost Kent Fuchs moved into Day Hall to assume his new position about six weeks ago, he was faced with a daunting task — balancing Cornell’s budget. Facing a $200 million budget shortfall, which represents 10 percent of the University budget, Fuchs had been forced to make some drastic decisions.

In yesterday’s Faculty Senate meeting, Fuchs told the attendees, “The situation is grave. If we do nothing, this institution is at great risk.”

On Jan. 1, Kent Fuchs replaced Biddy Martin as Cornell’s provost after serving as dean of the College of Engineering. Chris Ober, who was the associate dean of research and graduate studies, took over as interim dean for the engineering college when Fuchs vacated the position.

Fuchs has assembled the Engineering Dean Search Committee, which is comprised mostly of engineering faculty. Vice Provost John Siliciano is acting as committee chair. Other faculty serving on the committee include Director of Institutional Research and Planning Michael Matier, who is serving as search manager, and Director of Human Resources for the College of Engineering Julie Delay, who is helping staff the search.