SAS, College still looking for deans

The search committee had intended to select a new dean by July. Although administrators had hoped to appoint a permanent dean of the School of Arts and Sciences by the beginning of this year, they have extended their search indefinitely. The SAS search committee had intended to select a new dean by July, and University President Judith Rodin had hoped the new appointee's term would begin this school year. But Provost Stanley Chodorow said two weeks ago that he did not know when the search would wrap up, adding that administrators are re-interviewing leading candidates for the position. He blamed the delay on difficulty scheduling meetings over the summer. "The summer was a slow period for the search for a new SAS dean, because people were away," Chodorow said. Despite the delay, Rodin emphasized that the search is "on track" and continues to move forward. "We understand the importance of having a permanent dean in place, but feel it's more important to have the right dean," Rodin said. "We're going at a pace that allows us to make this important decision correctly." Even when a dean is selected, it is uncertain when the appointee will be able to "free himself or herself from their current position," Rodin said. Sociology Department Chairperson Douglas Massey, who chairs the search committee, was unavailable for comment. Interim Dean and Physics Professor Walter Wales agreed to continue his term until the end of this semester, adding that he has not been informed of a target date for the selection. "I am disappointed that a new dean isn't here," he said. "When I began as interim dean last September, I thought a new dean would be in place by the start of this year." Last spring, both Wales and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Rescorla pledged to serve beyond their terms -- which officially ended July 1 -- until their successors are appointed. Wales will teach one Physics course this semester. Because the SAS dean is typically responsible for selecting a new College of Arts and Sciences dean, that appointment has also been delayed. Given the delay in naming the SAS dean, College Dean Rescorla noted that Wales may be forced to name Rescorla's replacement. But Wales called that scenario "a bridge I haven't had to cross yet." Because Rescorla agreed to stay on as College dean until November or December, he is not scheduled to teach courses this fall. Target dates for appointment of a permanent SAS dean have been delayed over the past year. Last December, Wales said the committee would likely select a candidate by April and the new dean would begin work in July. And Rescorla said last fall he hoped the appointment of a new dean would come by this past spring. Wales began his tenure as interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences last September, replacing former Dean Rosemary Stevens, who resigned from the post after a five-year tenure. Wales has served as interim dean twice before -- in 1987 and in the summer of 1991. Stevens stepped down to work on a 25th-anniversary edition of one of her books and to resume teaching.