Search for new COAS dean continues

Finalist for the College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Becker spoke to the public Tuesday in the Whittenberger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union about the opportunities and challenges the COAS faces.

First, Becker addressed the importance of the arts and sciences in society.
“We identify very strongly with these areas and it is imperative to keep it going,” he said. “Arts and Humanities are who we are and what we are as people.”

In an effort to attract quality students to IU, Becker said the college needs to improve graduate student stipends, as this is a critical issue. Becker said he wants to position the college as a leader in language instruction and make the program known to others nationally who may not otherwise consider IU.

“If we can give this the legs that I think we can give it, we would have made a leap,” he said. “I’m very interested in how far we can push the students.”

The college has a lot of untapped room for cooperation with other colleges on campus, Becker said, and the issue of who pays for what can be overcome if the interests are aligned in the right way.

“The bottom line is that I feel there is a lot of zone of cooperation,” he said. Becker addressed the opportunity of the college for the general education
curriculum.

“General education is an important mission for the college and University,” he said. “Other colleges rely on us doing a good job.”

There was a question-and-answer session after which Becker spoke about his goals as dean and where attendees could ask questions.

“I thought he was knowledgeable and very competent,” said Michel Chaouli, an associate professor in the Department of Germanic Studies.

— Claire Aronson

Upcoming forums

The remaining four candidates will meet students, faculty and administrators in the Whittenberger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union.

4 p.m. Thursday
Joan Herbers, professor of evolution, ecology and organismal biology and former dean of the College of Biological Sciences at Ohio State University.

4 p.m. Dec. 6
Larry Singell, associate dean for social sciences in COAS and professor of economics at the University of Oregon.

4 p.m. Dec. 8.
 Greg Simpson, professor of psychology and former interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas.

2 p.m. Dec. 10.
Catherine Pilachowski, associate dean for graduate education in COAS and professor and Kirkwood chairwoman in astronomy.