Search is under way for new CAS dean

Elizabeth Grimsley
News Reporter

The College of Arts and Sciences is beginning the new semester by searching for a new dean.

A 10-member committee, representing CAS departments and including an academic adviser and a student representative, are evaluating applications.

"So far we have received 11 applications and we are just sort of beginning to sort through them," said Pamela Decoteau, professor in the department of art and design and head of the committee.

The first step was to advertise the position.

"We put ads in the 'Chronicle of Higher Education,' 'Black Issues in Higher Education' and on several Web sites," Decoteau said.

"We also asked that anyone within the school who maintains a Web site give us the address so we could post the ad. We also put an ad on the Council of Higher Education Web site."

The ad outlines the criteria for application and gives a description of duties.

"Criteria for the position include earning a doctorate in one of the departments represented by the school and having sufficient accomplishments to be granted tenure and administrative, organizational or governance experience with evidence of leadership or scholarship," Decoteau said.

"The dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the college," according to the advertisement placed by the committee.

"The duties of the dean embrace general administrative, facilitation of the college's planning process, budget, faculty and personnel management, administration of facilities and equipment, the overseeing and promotion of academic programs, the management of student issues, fund raising and public relations."

Decoteau noted that the university is an equal opportunity employer and is interested in maintaining diversity.

"We certainly want to make sure the position is open and available to women and minorities, but mostly we are looking for the best person for the job," she said.

There is no real deadline for application, but the committee has set a tentative date to start narrowing the search.

"We will officially begin on Jan. 22 and continue until the position is filled," Decoteau said.

"We have decided, though, that Feb. 5 is the date we will begin narrowing the search."

More detailed information about the position can be found on the College of Arts and Sciences Web site.