WACO, Texas (RNS) Baylor University President Robert B. Sloan Jr. will move from the role of president to become chancellor of the Baptist school here.

Sloan and Will Davis, chairman of the university's board of regents, jointly announced the transition on Jan. 21. Sloan's new position is scheduled to begin June 1.

Sloan's development of "2012 Vision," which aimed to make the school one of the top universities in the country while maintaining its Christian identity, created controversy.

"... the natural side effect of change is conflict," he said in his remarks at the transition announcement. "We moved quickly and boldly to implement the vision and found that Baylor is not immune to the discomfort and insecurity generated by change. My leadership has often been a lightning rod for that discomfort."

Sloan will concentrate on fund raising, student recruitment and enhancing the school's relationships with Baptist and other Christian leaders. Baylor, the largest Baptist university in the world with about 14,000 students, is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.