From the Desk of the Chancellor, August 9, 2010

Charncellor Charles R. Bantz View print-quality image

New students. New faculty. New campus leaders. The topic of the day as this column returns for the academic year.

Norleen Pomerantz, Ph.D. stepped in as interim vice chancellor for student life on August 3. The newly retired vice president for student affairs at Radford University in Virginia will oversee IUPUI’s Office of Student Involvement; Housing and Residential Life; Counseling and Psychological Services; Campus Center; Intramural and Recreational Sports; and Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.

Joining my office as part-time chief of staff is Andy Klein, J.D., who will take over the duties of Roger Schmenner. Roger returns to the full-time faculty of the Kelley School of Business. Andy, who joined the IU School of Law–Indianapolis faculty in 2000 is the Paul E. Beam Professor of Law. His scholarship focuses on the intersection of tort and environmental law. As chief of staff, he will have day-to-day oversight of intercollegiate athletics, act on my behalf in service on major projects, and handle other duties as assigned. He will continue teaching half time in law.

The campus TRIP initiative, Translating Research into Practice, will be advanced with the help of Faculty Fellow  J. Dennis Fortenberry, M.D. As professor of pediatrics, Dr. Fortenberry focused on adolescent health and sexually transmitted diseases. His role with TRIP will be to assist in securing funding while enhancing its profile as a signature characteristic of the campus. He will also broker collaborations among researchers and organize data about translational research being done at IUPUI.

Beginning September 1, Professor of Anthropology and Associate Dean of Liberal Arts  Richard E. Ward, Ph.D. will be interim dean of University College at IUPUI. As a founding member of the University College faculty, Rick will be eminently capable of keeping up the important work of advancing students’ academic progress until a permanent dean is named in summer 2011.

To keep the campus community up to date, we periodically post information and updates about executive searches that are under way at http://www.iupui.edu/administration/search/. Internal applicants should apply directly through the appropriate search firm. We encourage you to use your networks to bring outstanding candidates to the attention of our search committees and search firms.

Comments? Write chancllr@iupui.edu