Letter from the Dean

Letter from the Dean MAY 2005

Dear Colleagues -

As another academic year draws to a close, I want to thank you for your hard work and commitment to Indiana University’s College of Arts and Sciences. I know that this has been a particularly challenging year with all the changes that the implementation of PeopleSoft brought on in addition to the budgetary cuts that we asked the departments to make early on. I appreciate each and every one of your efforts to adapt to these changes and challenges. Next year’s budget has not yet taken shape fully, but we are at least better prepared to face the inevitable fiscal exigencies.

Regarding internships that you or your students may be contemplating: IU legal counsel and the Department of Risk Management have advised that some employers may request that the University sign “hold harmless agreements” that would contractually obligate IU to pay the employer the cost of any mistakes that students may make in the course of their internship. Indiana University does not and will not sign “hold harmless” agreements to facilitate internship agreements. Please do not sign any such agreement. If you have any questions about this, please contact IU Counsel at 855-9739.

As you know last fall a committee was appointed by Chancellor Gros Louis to review my first four years as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. You may read the committee report by clicking on to: http://www.indiana.edu/~college/faculty/ which will take you to the College website. Once there, at the top of the bottom right hand in the PROGRAMS AND INITATIVES box, you can click on to “DEAN’S FIVE YEAR REPORT AND REVIEW”, which will ask for your username and password and will check the "directory" to validate access. If you should receive the following message ”this information is only available for authorized staff…” Please contact the Dean's Office at 855-1646.

As the year comes to an end, so do the terms of some of our chairs and directors. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who are leaving their posts and to welcome those coming aboard the administrative ship.

In my own office, to David Zaret who has been my right hand since the day I walked through the doors of Kirkwood Hall, I extend my heartfelt thanks for his hard and tireless work and wise counsel through good times and difficult ones. To Joe Steinmetz, the next Executive Associate Dean, I welcome him aboard and wish him good luck! To Ted Widlanski who has spear-headed the College’s advances in the life sciences, and who will continue as CEO of the MetaCyt project, I am deeply grateful. I welcome Annie Lang to the role of Associate Dean for Research and look forward to working with her.

In January, Eduardo Brondizio was appointed Chair of Anthropology.

The following appointments are effective July 1, 2005:

Valerie Grim will chair the Department of African-American & African Diaspora Studies.

Catherine Pilachowski will chair the Department of Astronomy.

Matthew Christ will chair the Department of Classical Studies.

Robert Eno will chair the Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures.

Linda Smith will chair the Department of Psychology.

Karen Forrest will chair the Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences.

Matthew Guterl will direct the American Studies Program.

Purnima Bose will direct the Cultural Studies Program.

FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Michael Morgan (Philosophy) was named a Chancellor’s Professor.

Alex Dzierba (Physics) was named a Chancellor’s Professor.

Lynda Delph (Biology) was named a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship to work on merging evolutionary theory with studies of molecular biology.

Michael Grossberg (History) was named a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship to work on a book about the history of child protection in the United States.

Jeffrey Palmer (Biology) was named a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship to work on the exchange of genes between unrelated plants in New Caledonia.

Catherine Olmer (Physics) was selected by her peers to receive a Distinguished Service Award for the Bloomington campus.

Dennis Peters (Chemistry) was selected by his peers to receive a Distinguished Service Award for the Bloomington campus.

This year’s recipient of the James P. Holland Award for Exemplary Teaching and Service to Students is Al Ruesink (Biology).

Marcia Baron (Philosophy) has been named a Rudy Professor.

Peter Bondanella (French & Italian) has been selected as the Distinguished Faculty Research Lecturer for 2005-06.

Jorge Chapa (Latino Studies) was selected by the Commission on Multicultural Understanding as the 2004-05 faculty recipient who has significantly contributed to improving campus climate and promoting understanding with regard to a wide range of diversity issues.

Sandra Shapshay (Philosophy) was named a Poynter Center Fellow.

Edward Bernstein (Fine Arts, Printmaking) and colleague Alessandra Angelini arranged an exhibition entitled “Power in Print” consisting of 24 students, twelve each from the IU School of Fine Arts and the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice, Italy, along with four professional printmakers to take place at the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington, DC. The exhibit ran from 1-15 April, 2005.

UNDERGRADUATE NEWS

In undergraduate news, a record number of departments has come up with creative ideas for celebrating the successes of their students with receptions, special ceremonies, banquets, and gifts for majors and/or honors students. And there is much to celebrate: this year the College has awarded 42 undergraduate scholarships, most of which went to rising seniors, including the Guidant Foundation Life Sciences Scholarships, the new Life Sciences Scholars awards, the Chancellor’s Scholars awards, and the Beckman Scholars awards.

Most departments have responded to the Deans’ request for a thoughtful discussion of the issue of grade inflation and have had lively and fruitful discussions. I thank those departments who have submitted their reports and look forward to receiving the reports of those who have not yet responded.

This year, the Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE) has examined the problem of plagiarism and has plans to add a section to the College website so as to focus attention on the topic of academic misconduct.

. I know that some of you will be headed off shortly to pursue research projects and some well deserved rest and relaxation. I want to take this opportunity to wish you a fulfilling and productive summer season.

STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The professional staff advisors have had to shoulder a heavier burden than usual this year with the PeopleSoft transition, and they have all done a remarkable job. One of them, however, merited special recognition. The Advisor of the Year Award went to Jim Brown (Psychology).

Happy Summer,

Swamy

Kumble R. Subbaswamy, Dean
College of Arts & Sciences
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 855-2392