Astronomy, Physics grow after merger

For the new Department of Physics and Astronomy, two heads are better than one. The consolidation of the Physics and Astronomy Departments, which was suggested last fall by School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rosemary Stevens and implemented in June, is expected to bring major changes to two key scientific disciplines at the University. The combined department will be able to hire new faculty and reconcentrate its efforts on the research and study of astrophysics. "Effectively, outside of the fact that we have a single department with a single administration, not much has changed," said Physics Professor Kenneth Lande. "The most immediate thing is that we are in the process of planning to hire new faculty." The department has been authorized to hire five new faculty members to teach courses in astrophysics and astronomy, he added. "The timetable [for hiring new faculty] is a little bit unclear, but everything should take place over the next few years," Lande said. According to David Balamuth, chairperson of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the new administration is recruiting faculty with a particular expertise in astrophysics. "We're looking to strengthen the current curriculum and faculty in the department," he said. "It's fair to say that when the new faculty come on board, there will be some changes within the department in addition to some new courses." But he added that the new course changes and additions will not be finally determined until the faculty is selected. "The cost evolution will depend on the new faculty coming in," Lande said. While he is pleased with the prospects for the additional faculty members, Lande said he is disappointed that the Astronomy Department lost its independent status. "I'm very happy with the idea that we're bringing in new people," Lande said. "But I'm not happy that we've not preserved the Department of Astronomy. "Penn had a long tradition of astronomy research -- it's been here for 100 years," he added. "It's a very important part of science which could have developed independently of physics." Lande's disappointment is reminiscent of last year's faculty arguments against the merger. When the University Board of Trustees Academic Policy Committee made its proposal last October amidst much debate, campus-wide arguments were presented. Murray Murphey, former chairperson of the American Civilization Department, argued last fall that the University would be alone in its absence of an astronomy department. "[All Ivy League schools] have astronomy departments; we will not," he said in a statement last year. "The real question is not whether we are the bottom of the Ivy League; the question is whether we qualify as Ivy League at all."