Editor’s note: This story is part of The Daily Texan’s coverage of how coronavirus concerns are affecting UT-Austin. Read the rest of our coverage here.

Executive Vice President and Provost Maurie McInnis is leaving the University at the end of this semester to become president of Stony Brook University, UT President Gregory Fenves said in an email to the UT community Thursday.

McInnis will continue to lead the University’s emergency efforts to move classes online for the remainder of the semester through May 15. In the email, Fenves said he will appoint an interim provost who will start May 15.

“With the spread of COVID-19 on all of our minds and affecting the university, I know that this is a difficult time to make an announcement such as this,” Fenves said in the email. “Maurie’s leadership has been remarkable — throughout her time at UT and also in recent weeks as we have adjusted to this public health crisis.”

McInnis served as executive vice president and provost for the past four years and previously worked at the University of Virginia.

“Maurie’s accomplishments at UT reflect her deep commitment to the mission of public research universities — both the success of our students and the impact of our research on society,” Fenves said in the email. “When I recruited Maurie four years ago, I knew that she was a special leader with incredible potential. My expectations were high — and she exceeded them. She improved our university in many important ways, and I am grateful for her dedication.”