Provost will lead deans, administrators on tour of state Provost Greg Weisenstein will lead a busload of UND deans, the University’s top communications officer, and other senior administrators and support staff, for a three-day meet-and-greet tour across North Dakota Oct. 9-11. Weisenstein, UND vice-president for academic affairs and provost, said such tours -- modeled after the UND president’s annual New Faculty and Administrators Bus Tour -- are essential to keep the state’s flagship university in close touch with the community that supports it. They also provide a vital opportunity for leaders and citizens alike to meet their higher ed leaders. “The deans bus tour is a way for us to continue to connect with people throughout the state of North Dakota,” said Weisenstein, a strong advocate of “being there” as a management philosophy. “It enables us to get out in the communities where they live and have conversations about what their needs and concerns are.” The tour’s first stop Monday, Oct. 9, is at 11:30 a.m. at the Heritage Center on the Capitol grounds. Weisenstein will host a luncheon for local alumni, legislators and other political and education leaders, tribal college leaders, and the chancellor of the North Dakota University System, and members of the media, among others. Weisenstein will talk about what’s new at the University and answer questions from the audience and the media. Weisenstein and the deans meet with Gov. John Hoeven in his office at 2 p.m. Monday to discuss higher education issues. Other tour stops include a dinner at City Hall in Hazen, breakfast at Dickinson State University, lunch in Watford City and an ice cream social at Williston State University. The group also is set for a town hall meeting Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Airport International Inn in Williston and meetings and a luncheon Wednesday, Oct. 11, with Fort Berthold Community College administrators, faculty, and students. Minot is the final tour stop, where the UND deans will meet at 3 p.m. for a “coffee with the deans” at Minot State University’s Student Union. Weisenstein will host a dinner with alumni and community leaders at Minot’s Grand International Hotel at 5 p.m.