Search for Law dean behind schedule

The Search Committee might not have a new law dean when Colin Diver steps down on July 1. After a six-month search, the committee charged with appointing a new Law School dean has experienced significant delays and may not meet its initial July deadline, according to Law School Search Committee Chairperson Richard Herring. Although University officials had expected to name a new dean by July 1 -- when outgoing Law School Dean Colin Diver officially steps down from his position -- Herring said Monday that it would be a "miracle" if the 11-person committee appoints a candidate within the next month. "[The search] has been a much slower process than any of us thought," said Herring, who is also the Wharton School's undergraduate dean." Diver -- who has served at the school's helm since 1989 -- announced October 6 that he would resign. During his tenure at Penn, Diver increased the Law School faculty size by one-third, expanded the school's facilities and raised more than $100 million for the school's activities and endowment. The following month, University President Judith Rodin formed a search committee -- comprised of four faculty members, four Law School professors, two Law students and one alumnus -- designed specifically to find a new dean by July 1, the date of Diver's retirement. While the prospect of meeting the deadline currently seems slim, the committee has not yet agreed on a new target date, Herring said. Herring said that the search committee has interviewed more than 100 candidates since February and has successfully narrowed down the list, though he would not mention exactly how many candidates are being considered. Several candidates have voluntarily removed themselves from the race for numerous reasons, Herring said, explaining that it is often "tricky" to find someone willing to make such a dramatic career change. He did, however, emphasize that there are still "some very top people" on the list of candidates who are now interviewing for the position. In addition, the committee gave an update on their progress to Rodin about two weeks ago, but no specific names of candidates were mentioned during the meeting. Herring said Rodin encouraged the search committee to continue looking for viable possibilities. And Rodin recently expressed her optimism that the committee, despite its formidable task, will find a new dean in a timely manner. "The committee is doing what I charged them to do: to find the best of the best. That takes time and effort. I know the committee is working hard and I have every confidence that this process will result in an excellent candidate," she said. Throughout the process, the search committee has interviewed candidates on a regular basis. Herring said the committee has been "frustrated that [its] search has not yet reached a successful conclusion, but when you are searching for the best of the best, it takes a long time," Herring said. The committee advertised in The Chronicle for Higher Education, The New York Times, The National Law Journal, Black Issues in Higher Education and Hispanic Outlook and has worked with Korn/Ferry International, a search firm. Among the qualifications considered necessary by the members of the search committee are "superb leadership" and an "enthusiasm for fundraising," Herring said. And now, as the search process continues and the chances of making deadline seem less likely, the committee has decided to "broaden [its] search" to encompass a more diverse group. The list currently includes candidates from both internal and external candidates and, according to Herring, there is "no presumption that [the final selection] will be one or the other." Herring said the committee has "looked at some? out-of-the-box candidates," but acknowledged that "it would be a bit surprising if the [next] dean had never taught at a law school before." At the end of the process, the committee will present a list of three to five candidates to Rodin. The University has not yet announced what it will do if a new dean is not selected by the time Diver steps down. Diver, who arrived from Boston University, will return to full-time teaching and research upon resigning from his position.