University administrators decided to hold off on plans to create an Office of Global Initiatives that would oversee a number of programs, including Study Abroad and other international programs.

Administrators had planned to appoint Prof. Andrew Wachtel, dean of The Graduate School, to the lead the new office. But ultimately they felt Wachtel should focus on his other commitments to the university, said Vice President for University Relations Alan Cubbage.

In addition to overseeing The Graduate School, Wachtel currently heads the Roberta Buffett Center for Comparative and International Studies, which works to create interdisciplinary programs between all of NU’s schools.

Wachtel had planned to start in his new role as associate provost of the office effective June 1. But NU faculty and administrators received an e-mail last week cancelling the appointment. It was signed by University President Henry Bienen and Provost Lawrence Dumas.

“After extensive review and consideration,” the e-mail said, the university had determined that the plan was “not viable at this time.”

But Cubbage was hesitant to call the appointment dead.

“It’s certainly something I think we’ll look at revisiting in the future,” he said.

Associate Provost for Faculty Relations John Margolis declined comment.

Despite the change of plans, the university remains committed to improving its international focus, Cubbage said.

“I think the emphasis on international education has been one of the hallmarks of what (Bienen and Dumas) have accomplished,” he said. “This office was just an attempt to pull it all together under one umbrella.”

NU administrators once wanted to create an Office of Global Programs with a similar purpose.

But administrators gave no indication that any plans are underway to immediately look in that direction again.