Paul McCann, director of business services/treasurer, was named interim vice president for business affairs Tuesday.

McCann will start in that capacity after Jeff Cooley, vice president for business affairs, retires on Dec. 31.

Cooley announced his retirement in June.

“It’s certainly going to be a challenge,” McCann said.

He said he would work with the state on the budgeting process for the next fiscal year.

The state will let Eastern know what to expect in the next fiscal year in May or June. McCann said Eastern would like to know either January or February.

When it comes to his daily routine in the Office of Business Affairs, he does not know what will change throughout the day.

He said he would get to know more of the groups on campus such as Faculty Senate, Student Senate and the Council on University Planning and Budget.

“There are a lot of important issues on our table,” McCann said.

He said the proposed Renewable Energy Center is one major issue that will be worked on in hope of finding a solution.

President Bill Perry said he picked McCann after asking different groups on campus to describe what types of characteristics were needed in an interim vice president for business affairs.

He then considered the three- to four-month period an interim would serve, which includes the legislative session.

He said he selected McCann for those reasons.

“We are going to be dealing with some uncertainty,” Perry said.

With Eastern being asked to hold 2.5 percent of its state funding in reserve, Perry said it is important to have everyone ready for the next budget process.

Perry added the plan is to have a permanent vice president for business affairs start by April 1.

A search committee is in the process of a national search for a permanent successor for Cooley. McCann said he applied for the permanent position.

McCann has served as director of business services/treasurer since June 2006.

McCann has served as a partner with the accounting firm of Doehring Winders and Co., LLP; as chief financial officer with Behnke and Co., Inc., a Decatur insurance firm; and Murphey, Jenne and Jones, now known as Peat Marwick.

He received his bachelor’s degree in business/accounting from Augustana College in Rock Island.

Matt Hopf can be reached at 581-7942 or at mthopf@eiu.edu.