Rahn still finishing up work at MCG

Months after he agreed to take a job in Arkansas, Medical College of Georgia President Daniel W. Rahn is still busy in Augusta, tying down key details on major projects.

Before he departs in late October, Dr. Rahn said he is making sure there is a "smooth transition" for his successor.

Dr. Rahn has agreed to become the next chancellor of the University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences, which is essentially the same as the school's president.

Although members of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents have been appointed to a search committee for his replacement, the system is still in the process of selecting a search firm. That should happen in the next week or two, and the search firm typically sets out a time frame for the search, said Diane Payne, publications director for the Board of Regents. That time frame will determine whether an interim president of MCG is needed, she said.

Dr. Rahn said it would take a "very very fast track" to get a permanent person in place by late October and if there is an interim, he would like to work with that person before he leaves.

"I would certainly like to have a period of overlap with an interim president, announced, appointed before I make a physical move," Dr. Rahn said.

But until he heads to Little Rock, he is concentrating on three major projects: an expansion of MCG School of Medicine to Athens in conjunction with the University of Georgia; securing the final details for a new building for the School of Dentistry; and putting together a plan to build new student housing, preferably on the former Fat Man's store property, to replace student housing along 15th Street.

The Athens expansion got a recent boost when the Liaison Committee on Medical Education deemed the schools' planning and resources were sufficient to proceed with plans to enroll students in fall 2010. But that Athens expansion is counting on $12.5 million in fiscal year 2010, which begins July 1. With state revenues lagging behind, lawmakers are beginning to talk of a special session to address further budget cuts, which could put that funding at risk.

"We're concerned," Dr. Rahn acknowledges, as is everyone who depends on state funding for all or part of their operations. "This is a high priority for the Board of Regents. It's stated to be the No. 1 strategic priority for the Board of Regents. And I'm confident that we will work with the Board to assure that the resources are sufficient going forward.'

Even if there isn't a special session, however, those funds should come under scrutiny, said Sen. Ed Tarver, D-Augusta, who has long opposed the Athens expansion.

"The fact that the leadership at MCG and the leadership at the University of Georgia are moving as quickly as they can to create the appearance that we're obligated and that certain decisions can't be reversed, I don't think that obligates the Legislature at all" to support it, Mr. Tarver said.

The two schools working together is an asset to the state, Dr. Rahn said.

"We believe that the state benefits from bringing the strengths of the two institutions to the table," he said.

While some fundraising is still needed to meet the $112 million needed to build the new School of Dentistry building, Dr. Rahn said the school is waiting on guidance from a state agency before sending a contract for construction out to bid. He hopes that will happen in late July or August.

MCG is also trying to finalize plans on the housing for 150 students, which is right now priced at about $9 million, without architect or financing fees or land costs. New housing would allow the school to tear down the 15th Street buildings, which border the former Gilbert Manor housing area where the dentistry building will go. That would free up 24 acres there for development, Dr. Rahn said.

The main point in getting this all done now is so the next president won't have to do it, he said.

"I want these ones to be tied up as much as possible," Dr. Rahn said. "They are not going to be huge problems as you hit the door."

The school's deans are putting together an overview of the school's programs and strategic plans so that candidates can get a better sense of whether they would be a good fit.

And Dr. Rahn said he would provide his guidance if asked. One bit of advice: become a part of the community.

"I will certainly emphasize, to the extent that my input is sought, that it's important that the next president be actively engaged locally as well as statewide," he said.

Reach Tom Corwin at (706) 823-3213 or tom.corwin@augustachronicle.com.