MSU Provost Lou Anna Simon and an advisory committee selected Chuck Salmon as the acting dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

The recommendation will be voted on by the MSU Board of Trustees at its meeting today.

Salmon, the associate dean for the college, will replace Dean James Spaniolo, who will become the seventh president of the University of Texas at Arlington on Feb. 1.

Salmon said he pondered the decision before accepting the recommendation to lead the college, the fifth largest at MSU in terms of total enrollment, with more than 3,500 students.

"I had to think twice about it," he said. "With the support of Simon and Dean Spaniolo, I feel confident it's a good position and decision."

Salmon said he does not know who will replace him as the senior associate dean of the college, but a decision about the status of the position should be made sometime next week.

The possibility of future cuts is the main challenge the college will encounter, Salmon said.

"When you have a mid-year decision, it makes it twice as hard," he said. "Excellence is critical. We can't cut programs just to save money. Whatever cuts we make can't jeopardize the excellence of our programs."

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to announce her executive order as soon as Wednesday, and the order includes proposed changes to balance the state's budget. There is a 6 percent proposed cut to higher education institutions in Michigan. Simon said it was important for the stability of the college that a decision be made before winter break.

"There was strong support for Dr. Salmon and the leadership he would provide," she said. "I'm hopeful the board will act positively toward the recommendation."

Simon added that the decision of who will permanently hold the position of dean will become more clear sometime in January.

Spaniolo said Salmon was the right person for the job, and the two will work together before Spaniolo leaves for Texas.

"My role will be to work closely with Chuck Salmon and try to close out some projects I'm involved in," he said. "I then will pass the torch to him."

Salmon has been at MSU since 1994. He's held positions at three Big Ten universities. He's also earned degrees from Penn State University and the University of Minnesota.