Since Scott McNall took over as interim president at Chico State University, he's had only one real surprise: "Everybody wants to help."

At the first of July, McNall, who is the provost and vice president for academic affairs, took over the big chair as temporary president with the retirement of Manuel Esteban.

McNall said Esteban had included him in the deliberations for most of the important decisions made on campus.

Being part of the process - and being fully aware of the reasons Esteban did what he did - has helped make the transition from provost to interim president fairly smooth.

Having said that, McNall admitted there is one aspect of the job he didn't fully comprehend until he made the shift.

"I'm not sure I fully appreciated the responsibility of maintaining the integrity of the institution, and maintaining an image in the community. Manuel (Esteban) did it with grace and style."

McNall explained now - even more than in his role as provost, the chief academic officer on campus - he must consider the "implications" of everything he says in public.

"You can't always undo what you did as president," observed McNall.

While McNall says he wasn't entirely prepared for the weight of the mantel of the presidency, what he describes as his "one big and pleasant surprise," came from another direction.

"Everybody wants to help," said McNall.

He said the operation of the university is a "collective enterprise that interests everybody."

Chico, as a community, according to McNall, wants the university to do well.

Chico State, he said, "is a source of cultural pride. It is a wonderful resource for everyone."

McNall will continue as Chico State's chief executive until the California State University board of trustees selects a new president.

The theory is, the new person will be selected by January 2004, and the individual could take over before the beginning of the spring semester.

However, CSU Chancellor Charles Reed has said publicly if the new president can't leave his or her present campus in mid-year, the passing of the presidential baton could wait until the end of the 2003-2004 academic year.

However it works out, McNall said he is acutely aware his title as president includes the word "interim," and he knows he will be replaced by his future boss.

He said he wants to present the new president with as seamless a transition as possible.

McNall said there are some decisions he won't be making.

For example, McNall said he will not appoint the new campus vice president for university advancement, nor select the permanent replacement for Vice President Paul Moore.

The post Moore has held, which includes university advancement - which is academic shorthand for fund raising - and student affairs, has been split so there will ultimately be a vice president for advancement, and a separate vice president for student affairs.

McNall appointed Associate Vice President Jim Moon to act as temporary vice president of student affairs, and Assistant Vice President for Advancement Ed Masterson to cover the fund-raising side of the duties for now.

The new president will pick the permanent people for these posts.

McNall said he sees his role as presenting the new president with a set of alternatives for selecting the new vice presidents, as well as any other major decisions.

While some decisions will waiting for the new boss to arrive, McNall said there are dozens of things that must be decided every day, just to keep the institution rolling, and he is, of course, going to be making those decisions.

The university is in the middle of preparing a master plan that will cover the physical growth and capital improvements that will take place on campus for a decade or longer into the future.

McNall said there will be decisions on that front that have to be made as they come up.

He is also working on an "academic action plan" that will chart the future of the educational side of the institution for the future, and decisions will be made there as well.

"My job is to move the process along," explained McNall.