Interim dean of COAS confirmed

As IU continues its search to find a permanent replacement for the College of Arts and Sciences dean position, an interim leader for the largest school within IU was confirmed Friday. \nDuring the business meeting for the IU board of trustees, Professor of Sociology David Zaret's appointment was approved for the position of interim COAS dean to replace Kumble Subbaswamy, who is leaving to become the provost at the University of Kentucky. \n"(Zaret) is a first rate administrator," said Interim Provost Michael McRobbie. "He has an intimate knowledge of the College."\nMcRobbie added that Zaret has already been beneficial during the transition period with Subbaswamy's departure. He said this is due largely in part to Zaret's history with COAS, as he served as its executive associate dean from 1999 to 2005. \nIn addition to the interim announcement, the COAS dean search committee also reported progress in their task to find a permanent leader. Law School Dean Lauren Robel, who is the chairwoman of the search committee, revealed Wednesday that three finalists for the position have been selected. \nThe remaining candidates are Bennett Bertenthal, professor of psychology and computational neuroscience at the University of Chicago, Edward Donnerstein, dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona and Eric Friedlander, professor of mathematics at Northwestern University. \n"The candidate pool was exceptionally strong, and all three finalists are outstanding candidates," Robel said in a press release. "The committee intends to forward its recommendation to Interim Provost McRobbie immediately after the finalists have completed their visits to the Bloomington campus."\nIU President Adam Herbert said he believes the search is proceeding very well and from what Robel has described, they are all excellent and strong applicants. He added that the candidates will be arriving to visit the campus over the next couple weeks and he expects a recommendation to come from the committee by the June 8 trustee meeting. \nThe trustees also made it clear Friday that there is no ill will within the University towards Subbaswamy for choosing to leave for Kentucky. Near the end of the Friday business meeting, the board offered a statement in support for the outgoing COAS leader. \n"We would like to applaud the job he has done," said trustee Vice President Patrick Shoulders. "He is one of the most accomplished thinkers the University has seen."\nShoulders added that the board conveys their deep respect, affection and gratitude for the work he has done during his tenure at IU. \nAlso at the Friday trustee meeting, McRobbie announced the creation of four other search committees to find replacements for departing deans. \n- Daniel Smith, dean of the Kelley School of Business, will chair the 12-person committee to fill the School of Health position. \n- Brad Wheeler, dean of Information Technology, will lead the 12-person committee to identify his successor for the School of Informatics position.\n- Gerardo Gonzalez, School of Education dean, will head the 10-person committee to choose the next dean of the School of Continuing Studies.\n- Sarita Soni, vice provost for research, will preside over the 12-person committee to select the next dean for the University Graduate School.