The University Record, February 25, 1998
Editor’s Note: The following actions were taken by the Regents at their February meeting.
Three faculty chosen for endowed and named chairs
Sheldon H. Danziger, professor of social work and public policy and professor of public policy, will hold the Henry J. Meyer Collegiate Professorship of Social Work and Public Policy, effective Sept. 1, 1998.
Ronald Gibala, professor of materials and metallurgical engineering and macromolecular science and engineering, will hold the Frances E. VanVlack Professorship of Materials Science and Engineering, effective Jan. 1, 1998.
Steven A. Telian, professor of otorhinolaryngology, will hold the John L. Kemink, M.D., Professorship of Neurotology, effective April 1, 1998.
Danziger has been “a catalyst for research on poverty across the disciplines‹on this campus, in the nation and around the world,” said Paula Allen-Meares, dean of the School of Social Work. “His research focuses on trends in poverty and inequality and the effects on disadvantaged groups of economic and demographic changes and government social programs.
“He serves on many national boards and advisory groups related to issues of poverty, often consults with government agencies, and testifies before Congressional committees. He is known as a superb mentor, drawing the most promising scholars in various social science fields into his research projects.”
Gibala is an expert in the areas of mechanical behavior and microstructural analysis of structural materials, principally intermetallic alloys and related quasi-brittle materials, said Stephen W. Director, dean of the College of Engineering. “Prof. Gibala is author or co-author of more than 150 papers on mechanical behavior of intermetallics and refractory metals, defects in crystalline solids, hydrogen and hydrogen embrittlement in metals, amorphous solids, polymer blends and composites, semiconductor heterostructures, and internal friction of solids.”
Gibala, who joined the U-M in 1984, served as chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in 1984-94.
Telian is “a superb clinician, teacher, and investigator,” said A. Lorris Betz, interim dean of the Medical School. “Dr. Telian is a recognized leader in the field of neurotology, both from a clinical and research perspective. His investigative activities have made significant contributions in two primary areas‹cochlear implantation and the management of the balance disorder patient. His efforts in these areas, together with his exceptional teaching abilities, have resulted in notable changes in the field.
“Further, he is a well-respected clinician who practices the highest level of patient care using state-of-the-art technology.”
Tenure appointment approved
Amy Ku’uleialoha Stillman, from the University of California, Santa Barbara, will be associate professor of music (music history/musicology), with tenure, effective Sept. 1.
Four faculty members retire
Four faculty members were given the emeritus title.
Those retiring are Rane L. Curl, professor of chemical engineering; Cedomil Goic, the Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Professor of Spanish-American Literature; Keki B. Irani, professor of electrical engineering and computer science; and John H. Jackson, the Hessel E. Yntema Professor of Law and professor of law.
Curl, who joined the U-M in 1964, “enhanced the curriculum by improving existing courses and introducing new ones,” the Regents said. “In the last decade he introduced an important change in the senior laboratory course. From a set of perfunctory separate experiments, the course has evolved into one in which real problems are simulated and experiments are performed that lead to their solution.
“A large portion of his research is his life-long study of caves and karsts, where his work has extended far beyond the interests of a pure naturalist into the application of the new field of fractals to the explanation of geological characteristics.”
Goic, who joined the faculty in 1976, is “an internationally renowned specialist in a broad range of Spanish-American literature,” the Regents noted. “With particular concentration in the modern period, Prof. Goic is the author of many scholarly works.
“He served his department and the University in a number of capacities, including graduate adviser, head of the Spanish section, member of the department executive committee, and member of the Rackham Divisional Board. He directed University foreign study programs in both Spain and Chile. He will be remembered by generations of Michigan students as a versatile and learned teacher of literature, exceptionally successful in the direction of doctoral dissertations.”
Irani, who joined the U-M in 1962, “supervised more than 50 doctoral students, many of whom have gone on to positions of leadership in academia and industry,” the Regents said. “As a faculty member in a rapidly developing field, he was known for developing and maintaining expertise in many aspects of both computer science and computer engineering. Over the years, students have praised him for his ability to present extremely complicated subjects in a clear and exciting manner.
“He served as associate chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1976-84 and as associate chair of the Division of Computer Science and Engineering in 1986-90.”
Jackson, who joined the U-M in 1966, is “the preeminent American legal scholar on the subject of international trade, with a special focus on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT),” the Regents noted. “He has written nine books and has served on the editorial boards of eight journals. Most important, he has inspired several generations of international trade scholars, many of whom have gone on to significant careers in government and the academy.”
In 1988-89 he also served as U-M’s associate vice president for academic affairs. In 1973-74, he served as general counsel for the Office of President’s Special Representative for Trade, and in 1974 he was acting deputy special representative for trade.
Renovation of Dana Building approved
A major renovation project for the S.T. Dana Building, which houses the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), was approved.
“The School has become an increasingly complex and diverse organization, which reflects the growing intricacies of environmental problems,” said Executive Vice President Robert Kasdin. “Its courses attract students from across the campus. SNRE workshops, symposia and other special events draw participants from around the world.
“Although the building, which is approaching 100 years of continuous use, has been the subject of numerous partial renovations and improvements during its history, it has never been the subject of a comprehensive renewal program.
“The proposed project will be the first phase of an effort to improve and revitalize the entire building resulting in a facility that will be capable of meeting the needs of the SNRE well into the 21st century,” Kasdin noted.
The project, estimated to cost $7.1 million, will include enclosing the existing courtyard and creating within it 11,000 square feet of program space, and modifying the existing roof and attic to provide 2,250 square feet of mechanical support space.
“This project,” Kasdin said, “seeks to enhance SNRE’s unique sense of community while accommodating the School’s growing need for graduate student space, new faculty offices, additional classrooms and flexible research space. Related work includes a new elevator, new toilets, a new transformer and consolidation of the fresh air handling systems.”
Replacement of University Hospital’s wall protection system approved
The replacement of the University Hospital wall protection system was approved.
“The University Hospital was designed utilizing a heavy-duty wall protection system in most of the public areas throughout the building,” Kasdin said. “After 12 year of operation, the wall protection has reached the end of its useful life. This project would replace the existing wall protection on levels B1 through the 8th floor.”
The wall protection systems includes vinyl fabric, plastic panels, and hand rails and corner guards.
The project is estimated to cost $2 million and will be phased over a two-year period.
Residence hall rates will increase 2.7% next year
The Regents approved an average rate increase of 2.7 percent for residence halls and 2.45 percent for apartments for next year.
The basic rate for a double room in the traditional residence hall, now $5,342 for two terms, will be $5,488. Other rates will range from $2,190 (now $2,134) for a room-only converted triple unit in a non-traditional hall to $6,524 (now $6,348) for a single room in the traditional halls. Rates in the traditional halls include room and 13 meals per week.
New rates for student tenants in apartments, effective July 1, will range from $359 (now $350) per month for an unfurnished room in the Observatory Lodge to $865 (now $844) for a furnished three-bedroom townhouse unit. All rates include utilities.
Administrative appointments approved
Administrative appointments approved by the Regents included:
Earl Lewis, professor of history and Afroamerican and African studies and interim dean of the Rackham School of Graduate Studies, will be dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for academic affairs-graduate studies, effective March 1, 1998-June 30, 2003.
Philip D. Gingerich, professor of geological sciences, professor of biological science and professor of anthropology, was reappointed director of the Museum of Paleontology for a three-year term, effective July 1.
Louis E. Loeb, professor of philosophy, was reappointed chair of the Department of Philosophy for a one-year term, effective July 1.
Terrence J. McDonald, professor of history, was reappointed LS&A associate dean for academic affairs for a one-year term, effective July 1.
Marilyn J. Shatz, professor of psychology, was reappointed director of the Program in Linguistics for a three-year term, effective July 1.
Patrice S. Beddor, associate professor of linguistics, will serve as acting director of the Program in Linguistics for a one-year term, effective Aug. 1, 1998-July 31, 1999.
Stephen L. Darwall, professor of philosophy, will serve as chair of the Department of Philosophy, for a three-year term, effective July 1, 1999.
Donald S. Lopez Jr., professor of Buddhist and Tibetan studies, will be chair of the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures for a two-year term effective July 1, 1998.
Robert M. Owen, professor of marine geology, will serve as LS&A associate dean for undergraduate education and long range planning for a three-year term, effective Aug. 1.
Vijayan N. Nair, professor of statistics and of industrial and operations engineering, will serve as chair of the Department of Statistics for a five-year term, effective July 1.
Linda P.B. Katehi, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, will serve as associate dean for graduate education in the College of Engineering for a five-year term, effective May 1.
