By Jonathan Hiser
Financial Aid Director Paul Krull resigned over winter break after nearly eight years of work at the university. Krull came to UP in 2000 as the associate director of Financial Aid and rose up to his current position in 2007.
Krull accepted a new position as director of Professional Services at Evisions Inc., a small software business for student and government institutions headquartered in California. His Portland division will implement software at local schools and help train the staff.
"It's a brand new division for the company, so we're basically starting from the ground up, which is actually quite a bit of fun," Krull said.
Krull said his new position reminds him of his appointment to director of Financial Aid in June 2007. Beginning the job with hardly any staff, Krull said filling five empty positions while simultaneously completing financial aid awarding before fall semester was the most challenging experience at UP.
"The Financial Aid staff was one of the best staffs I have worked with," Krull said. "I know; I hired two-thirds of them."
Krull said UP was "a big chunk" of his life. He routinely worked late into the night after all other staff members had already left.
"I worked a lot of hours because money makes it or breaks it for students," Krull said. "We put in a lot more hours than students realize."
John Goldrick, vice president for enrollment management and student life, said Krull left with all the staff's support and remains a good friend. Goldrick said he misses Krull's presence in the financial aid office.
"I was trying to do something for my family, and that was important for me," Krull said.
In September 2007, Krull, along with ASUP president David Gregg, established the first Presidential Financial Aid Committee. The five-student advisory committee met a total of three times, providing a dialogue between students and Financial Aid. Krull believed the committee helped discern how to best communicate with students.
Senior Noel Peterson, a member on the committee, said it's refreshing when a high level official like Krull shows an openness and willingness to communicate with the student population.
"He created a really comfortable environment for us to express our gripes and complaints," Peterson said. "He didn't take any of it personally, so he made a situation where we could get out some good criticism that I think needed to be heard."
Krull left before the committee's suggestions were implemented, but noted that many of them are in the works and "will probably still happen." One possible change includes an earlier processing or awarding of endowed scholarships, which Krull believes will benefit everyone.
Until Krull's permanent replacement is found, Herald Johnson will act as the interim director of Financial Aid. According to Goldrick, the decision on whether or not to renew the committee is up to the next full time director. Krull said he thought the committee went very well and hopes that it will continue.
Peterson said she would definitely advise the next director to continue using the committee.
"I really liked what we were talking about and I felt like it gave Krull a lot of good information," Peterson said.
Krull said he will miss the students and the many colleagues at UP, but noted that he's not gone for good.
"I may be showing up on campus every once and a while. The University owns the software that I support, so I have reason to come back," Krull said.
