In an unusual move aimed at stabilizing the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's administrative ranks, Chancellor Harvey Perlman is seeking to swiftly appoint a member of his inner circle to the soon-to-be-vacant position of senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Perlman e-mailed colleagues late Monday to say Susan Poser, now UNL's associate to the chancellor, is "the right person at the right time" to fill the position about to be vacated by Barbara Couture.

Couture last week was named president of New Mexico State University. Her new duties begin Jan. 1, leaving UNL little time to plan for her successor.

Add to that the fact UNL already is conducting searches for three deans and another vice chancellor, and the campus is in "a vulnerable position," Perlman wrote.

Further complicating the situation are looming budget cuts and a $1.2 billion fundraising campaign that increasingly draws Perlman away from campus -- not to mention the fact Perlman is 67 and in his 10th year as chancellor.

Though he has no immediate plans to retire, "some candidates are already asking questions about the stability of the campus administration," he wrote.

A regular search for Couture's successor could take 18 months, plus additional time for a new hire to become familiar with campus.

But appointing Poser -- who has held her post since 2007 and has years of experience as a faculty member in the College of Law -- "would allow us to seamlessly continue the momentum of the university," Perlman wrote.

In keeping with UNL's commitment to shared governance, Poser's appointment is subject to the approval of a search committee composed of faculty leaders, deans and students.

Poser also will undergo interviews by UNL deans, and she's scheduled to appear at a Dec. 1 forum open to the entire campus.

If the search committee approves Poser, she will be subject to a rigorous performance review after three years, not the customary five years.

If the committee does not approve Poser, she will not be appointed.

Perlman wrote he knows some will wonder whether Poser will be "a tool of the chancellor."

"Anyone who has been around this office for the last few years knows the answer to that is a resounding ‘no,'" he wrote. "She has always offered me advice, even advice I did not want to hear, and in too many occasions she was right."

Perlman also said moving Poser to a new position gives him an opportunity to reorganize his office and cut administrative costs.

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.