The University of Tennessee is now preparing to fill the office of vice president for public and governmental relations, which has been vacant since early July.

John Clark, director of media relations, said that UT President John D. Petersen is eager to fill the position of vice president quickly. It is now possible to fill the office because the university has begun a nationwide search for a replacement.

A number of things had to occur in order to start the search, which will be directed by a committee specially assembled for the task. The committee will be chaired by Jack E. Williams, vice president for development and alumni affairs.

Several issues were discussed before the onset of the search, including President John Petersen’s approval of the job details. The job will include directing the Institute for Public Service, acting as a liaison between the university and the state and federal governments and focusing staff communication. Tom Ballard, former vice president for public and governmental relations, formerly executed these tasks.

The position opened when Ballard resigned earlier this summer. Ballard’s staff has functioned routinely since his departure.

“When you don’t have a vice president the staff can keep working the day to day activities,” Clark said.

In recent months IPS duties have fallen on Mary Taylor, assistant vice president for public and governmental relations. Ballard’s public relations work naturally has been picked up by the office of media relations.

Ballard was appointed vice president in 2000 after being director of governmental relations and associate vice president for public relations for one year. Ballard spent almost 40 years with the university, including his undergraduate years as a communications student.