Vice president and general counsel of the University of Notre Dame Carol Kaesebier announced her retirement on Thursday.
Kaesebier has worked at the University since June 1988 and held the position of general counsel since July 1991.
As general counsel, Kaesebier managed all of the University's legal issues.
"I oversaw all legal issues for the University, including employment issues and contract negotiations related to employment, construction or business matters," she said.
Kaesebier said that one of her main projects this year has been providing legal services related to the Eddy Street Commons development.
"That's a very complex set of transactions," she said. "We're working with a developer to bring in new retail outlets and restaurants and apartments. This site will provide a great new opportunity for students and faculty."
She has also been responsible for reviewing new student policies "to make sure that they comply with our current rules and regulations."
"We also make sure that they are fair procedurally - that's very important," she said.
Although her retirement will go into effect on October 1, her replacement has yet not been named. In a statement, University President Fr. John Jenkins, the University's president, stated that the university would carry out a national search to name a successor.
"I don't think that the search has even begun yet," Kaesebier said.
She decided to retire because she and her husband wanted to move to Alabama to spend more time with their two daughters and six grandchildren.
"Both my husband and I have a lot we wanted to do that we haven't been able to because both worked a very busy schedule," she said.
Kaesebier said that she also wanted to spend time doing volunteer work with the group Earthwatch.
"Earthwatch is a group that deals with all sorts of environmental issues," she said. "Usually they send volunteers somewhere to do work, whether that's ensuring that turtles are able to hatch or helping provide water systems to developing countries."
When asked what advice she had for her replacement, Kaesebier said that "the University is a very complex organization. So, when the general counsel looks at issues, there always very many factors at play," she said. "By contrast, a company's perspective usually focuses exclusively on the bottom line."
She also said that she hoped her replacement would be open-minded and fair.
