Rescorla named new College dean

Psych. prof. replaces Santirocco Psychology Professor Robert Rescorla will be the new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rosemary Stevens announced Friday. Rescorla will begin his position on July 1. He is replacing Matthew Santirocco, who is leaving the University for a position at New York University on June 30. Stevens, who selected Rescorla for the position, said that although she consulted with faculty members and the Student Committee for Undergraduate Education, "the decision was mine as the dean." "I wanted to make the appointment as strong as possible as we move into the next period of undergraduate education, and Bob Rescorla is just the best," she said. "He's a terrific guy." The announcement came three weeks later than when Stevens had previously said she would announce Santirocco's replacement. But Stevens said she decided on Rescorla several weeks ago, although he was unable to tell her whether he planned to accept the position because he was on vacation in England for two weeks. Psychology Department Chairperson John Sabini praised Steven's choice, calling Rescorla "the perfect person for the job." "He's a first-rate teacher, and a brilliant scientist who cares about nothing so much as undergraduate education," he said. Sabini added that "students will find that he's on [their] side" in potential conflicts between students and faculty members. Stevens said she is particularly enthusiastic about Rescorla's background in psychology. "He brings a very wide-ranging set of academic interests," she said. "Psychology as both a natural and social science is very wide-ranging." Santirocco described his successor as "one of the most distinguished members of the College." He added that Rescorla -- a world-renowned expert on the process of learning -- is a good choice because "it is appropriate that someone with this interest should be College dean." But Rescorla said his psychology background will not prove to be beneficial in his new job, because his expertise lies mainly in the fundamental learning processes. Instead, he added, it is his "no-nonsense approach" and organizational skills which will serve him best as College dean. He said his first projects as dean will be to make more research opportunities available to undergraduates, and to successfully move to College office to Houston Hall from its current location on the mezzanine floor of Mellon Bank. Rescorla will also continue to teach and do research while serving in his new position. However, he said he will have to vacate his position as undergraduate chairperson of the Psychology Department in order to take on the responsibilities of College Dean. Psychology Professor Robert Seyfarth will fill Rescorla's old position. Santirocco announced his plans to leave the University in March.