Editor’s note: The following actions were taken by members of the Board of Regents at their October meeting.
Central Campus planning
President Mary Sue Coleman announced the launch of a Central Campus planning effort that will address facility issues and academic goals. Coleman said she has asked Provost Paul N. Courant, Chief Financial Officer Timothy Slottow, LSA Dean Terrence McDonald, Medical School Dean Allen Lichter and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Robert Kelch to help develop a comprehensive plan for future growth, including faculty and facilities.
“I think we have a tremendous opportunity to encourage academic links among units on the Central, Medical and North Campuses,” Coleman said. “I want our planning efforts to build on existing programmatic connections and create exciting new links. At the same time, we need to address facility issues that are vital to a number of academic programs and to prepare us for growth opportunities.” In particular, attention must be given to the Frieze Building, which is in need of renovation or replacement, she said.
Coleman said academic priorities will drive the next steps in Central Campus planning. The president told regents she expects the process to take up to two years.
Cooling system to be replaced
The chilled water system that serves the cooling needs at Wolverine Tower will be replaced this winter. The $2 million project will replace the original chiller, cooling tower and pumps, which are more than 30 years old and beyond their useful life.
New electrical equipment for Med Inn
The electrical substation, including transformers, feeders and switchgear, at the Med Inn will be replaced. The $1.6 million project will be funded from the Hospitals and Health Centers’ resources. It is scheduled to be completed in spring 2005.
The current substation is approximately 50 years old and in need of replacement.
New elevators for Med Sci I
The two elevators in the Medical Science Building I will be replaced during the next two years. The 47-year-old elevators will be replaced one at a time in order to continue elevator service to the building. The project is estimated to cost $750,000.
Regents approve research professor title
Board members approved amendments to Regents Bylaws 5.01, 5.24 and 11.13, changing the titles of senior associate research scientist and senior research scientist to senior associate research professor and senior research professor. The change also establishes the title of research assistant professor, and includes the Dearborn and Flint campuses.
Provost Paul N. Courant said the change to allow researchers who are not tenure or tenure-track faculty to receive the title of professor was “not done lightly.” He and Vice President for Research Fawwaz Ulaby said the change would benefit the University by allowing U-M to attract top researchers, and is a consistent practice among many top research institutions. Ulaby told regents the title will give researchers a competitive advantage in securing research funding.
The change will affect 65 research scientists at U-M, Courant said. For specific bylaw changes visit http://www.umich.edu/~urecord/0304/Sept15_03/030915_regent_bylaws.pdf.
Appointments with tenure and administrative appointments
Shinobu Kitayama, professor of psychology, LSA, effective Sept. 1, 2003.
Hal Morgenstern, professor of epidemiology, and chair, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, effective Nov. 1, 2003.
Dr. James Carpenter, chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, effective Oct. 17, 2003, and Harold W. and Helen L. Gehring Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, effective Oct. 17, 2003-Oct. 16, 2008.
Named professorships
Yaron Eliav, reappointed Jean and Samuel Frankel Professor of Rabbinic Literature, LSA, effective Sept. 1, 2003-May 31, 2006.
Gillian Feeley-Harnik, Kathleen Gough Collegiate Professor of Anthropology, LSA, effective Sept. 1, 2003-Aug. 31, 2008.
Carol Fierke, Jerome and Isabella Karle Collegiate Professor of Chemistry, LSA, effective Sept. 1, 2003-Aug. 31, 2008.
Douglas Futuyma, Lawrence B. Slobodkin Collegiate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, LSA, effective Sept. 1, 2003-Aug. 31, 2008.
William Giannobile, William K. and Mary Anne Najjar Professor, School of Dentistry, effective Oct. 1, 2003.
Julian Levinson, reappointed Samuel Shetzer Endowed Professor of Jewish American Studies, LSA, effective Sept. 1, 2003-May 31, 2007.
David Radnell, T. H. Hildebrandt Research Assistant Professor of Mathematics, LSA, effective Jan. 1, 2004-May 31, 2006.
U-M-Dearborn
Michael Foran, chair, Department of Accounting and Finance, effective Sept. 1, 2003-Aug. 31, 2006.
Thomas Baird, vice chancellor, Institutional Advancement, effective Oct. 20, 2003-Aug. 31, 2005.
U-M-Flint
Lauren Friesen, chair, Department of Theatre and Dance, effective July 1, 2004-June 30, 2007.
Carolyn Gillespie, interim chair, Department of Theatre and Dance, effective Jan, 1, 2004-June 30, 2004.
Retirements
Alphonse Burdi, professor of cell and developmental biology and director of the Inteflex Program in the Medical School, and research scientist in the Center for Human Growth and Development, effective Aug. 31, 2003. Burdi joined U-M in 1962. His research on population patterns of human prenatal development substantially advanced the critical understanding of the causes, recognition and treatment of birth defects. He wrote more than 235 scientific papers, books and chapters. His academic and life skills mentoring brought him recognition, including honorary membership in Michigan’s Womens’ Athletic Association.
Adye Bel Evans, associate librarian in the University Library, effective June 30, 2003. She joined the University in 1972. In 1998, after more than 20 years at the Institute for Social Research, Evans became the readers’ services librarian and curator of the graphics collection in the Special Collections Library. She served a term as president of the Association of Black Professionals, Administrators, Faculty and Staff. She also was the representative from the Michigan League Board of Governors to the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs and a member of the University Women’s Commission.
