President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., will retire as president of Saint Louis University on Sept. 1, 2013, Board of Trustees Chairman J. Joe Adorjan said this afternoon in a letter addressed to the SLU community.

The Board’s Executive Committee approved Vice President and General Counsel Bill Kauffman as Interim University President, though he will not be considered for a permanent position in the role. According to the letter, his tenure as interim is intended to continue “for this fiscal year or until such time as a successor is in place.”

In addition to the appointment of Kauffman, the Executive Committee approved a new Office of the Chairman, staffed by Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Ellen Harshman, Vice President for Medical Affairs Philip Alderson, Vice President and Chief Financial officer David Heimburger, Vice President for Administration Bridget Fletcher, and Vice President for Student Development Kent Porterfield. All SLU vice presidents will also continue in their current roles under Kaufman.

Biondi is expected to take a one-year sabbatical.

“During his sabbatical, he will continue his activities in building national and international support for Saint Louis University, but he will have no day-to-day responsibilities for leadership of the University,” Adorjan said. Biondi is expected to maintain a role in University leadership, to be decided upon his return.

A full search for a new University President is expected to begin after the Sept. 28 Board meeting.