UT Provost Bob Holub has accepted the position of chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, according to an e-mail Wednesday from interim chancellor Jan Simek to staff, faculty, and students. 

Holub vacates the job after serving it since August 1, 2006. The UT provost is responsible for the academic activities on campus, attending to the day-to-day functioning of the university.

"While we are sad to see Bob go and will miss his academic leadership, I know the entire community joins me in wishing him great success in his new endeavor," Simek said in the e-mail.

"Bob has had a significant impact on the teaching and learning environment of the university. In just two years, he has built a strong staff and focused efforts on improving retention and student access and success."

Holub has recently initiated and led the university's strategic planning process, which sought to increase access to UT, enhance research productivity and retention rates, and make diversity more inclusive and pervasive on campus. He recently posted a progress report about the program on the UT Provost Web site with plans going through the summer, when he plans to transition into his new role.

An interim provost will be named in the coming weeks, according to Simek.