Law School, Letters & Science dean reviews under way

Chancellor Biddy Martin and Provost Paul DeLuca have initiated standard, five-year reviews for Law School Dean Kenneth Davis and College of Letters & Science Dean Gary Sandefur.

The university adopted a five-year review procedure for deans several years ago.

The purpose is to assess each dean’s academic and administrative leadership and performance in such areas as external relations and resource management. The chancellor and provost appoint the members of the review committee.

The review process includes interviews with the dean’s constituents including deans, faculty, staff, students and external stakeholders. The committee also invites written comments from the university community regarding the dean’s leadership and administration and future challenges and opportunities for the school or college.

For Davis, review committee members include Phillip Certain, review committee chair, dean emeritus, College of Letters & Science; and Tonya Brito, Peter Carstensen, Pilar Ossorio and Meredith Ross, all of the Law School. Other members include Deanna Dietrich, College of Engineering; Matthew Jalandoni, Student Bar Association; and Gregory Monday, Foley & Lardner LLP.

Written comments regarding Davis’s performance should be addressed to the committee chair at prcertain@sbcglobal.net or to other committee members. Comments or interview requests should be received by Monday, March 1.

For Sandefur, review committee members include Philip Farrell (chair), dean emeritus and professor of pediatrics and population health sciences; Sharon Dunwoody, associate dean and professor, School of Journalism; Mary Beth Ellis, department manager, economics; David Hogg, professor of entomology; Sally Magnan, professor of French and Italian and director, Language Institute; Steve Nadler, chair and professor of philosophy; Matt Sanders, associate faculty associate, chemistry; and Karen Steudel, professor of zoology.

Written comments regarding Sandefur’s review may be addressed to the Farrell at pmfarrell@wisc.edu with copies to Mo Noonan Bischof at mabischof@wisc.edu. The deadline for submitting comments is Monday, March 15.

The review committee treats all communication as confidential, and the university will protect such confidentiality within the framework of Wisconsin law.