Brock University’s Board of Trustees has extended to Sept. 30 the appointment of Brian Hutchings as Acting President and Vice-Chancellor.

Trustees voted today to leave a longer-term decision on the Acting President until Sept. 30, to allow time for more consultation with University Senate, students and other groups on campus.

“We have a consultation process going on and we’re continuing with it,” said Board Chair John Suk. “This is the right place for us to be as we keep moving forward.”

Suk also announced that, in accordance with University policy, he will be calling for an Advisory Committee to be established to begin the search for the next President and Vice-Chancellor. The makeup of the committee will be established in the near future.

The Board also committed to an independent third-party review of Brock’s presidential search process, to ensure the University has the best process in place for the next presidential search.

Hutchings, who is Brock’s Vice-President Administration, has served as Acting President and Vice-Chancellor since July 1. Last month he agreed to have that appointment extended beyond Aug. 31 after the University announced that Wendy Cukier would not become Brock’s next president as had been earlier planned. Before joining Brock in 2012, Hutchings was the Niagara Region’s Commissioner of Corporate Services and Treasurer. He is a professional accountant and holds Master’s in law and Bachelor of Commerce degrees.