Brown University News Bureau

The Brown University News Bureau

1997-1998 index

Distributed February 10, 1998
Contact: Mark Nickel

A new vice provost for affiliated programs

Reorganization of senior administration leads to larger role for provost

Brown University President E. Gordon Gee has announced a reorganization of the senior administration, which streamlines and expands the provost's office and upgrades the position to executive vice president and provost. Mark Schupack, former dean of the Graduate School, has been named to the new position of vice provost for affiliated programs.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Brown University President E. Gordon Gee has announced a reorganization of the University's senior administration. Among other changes, the new structure expands the responsibilities and streamlines the operation of the office of the provost - now executive vice president and provost - and clarifies a number of reporting relationships.

"When I became president of Brown, I wanted an administrative structure that is streamlined, clear, straightforward and focused, with workloads distributed equitably and sensibly," Gee said. "The changes I have announced - particularly the enhanced role of the executive vice president and provost - will achieve that and ensure that the academic priorities of the University will drive the decisions we make in all other areas."

Editors: The organization chart for the Provost's Office is available from the Brown News Bureau or the News Bureau's web site.

One of the prominent changes in the provost's office is a new reporting structure for Brown-affiliated programs, including the Annenberg Institute, the John Carter Brown Library, the Haffenreffer Museum and others. These will report to a new vice provost for affiliated programs. Mark Schupack, professor emeritus of economics and former dean of the Graduate School and Research, has been appointed to that position on an interim basis through June 1999.

"Mark Schupack is an excellent administrator with a deep understanding and appreciation of the University," said Interim Provost Sheila E. Blumstein. "His return to academic administration will be a great help in implementing the new structure in the provost's office, and I am delighted to have him as a colleague during this important time of transition."

Nine programs will report to Schupack: the Leadership Alliance, directed by Associate Provost James Wyche; the Bell Gallery, directed by Jo-Ann Conklin; the Annenberg Institute for School Reform; the Education Alliance, directed by Adeline Becker; the John Nicolas Brown Center, directed by Joyce Botelho; the John Carter Brown Library, directed by Norman Fiering; the Watson Institute for International Studies, directed by Thomas Biersteker; the Institute for Brain and Neural Systems, directed by Leon Cooper; and the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, directed by Shepard Krech.

Councils and committees

Three councils and committees will coordinate and support the work of the president's office and senior administration.

The provost search committee

In mid-December, prior to his official arrival as Brown's 17th president, Gee announced Blumstein's appointment as interim provost. Blumstein, a highly regarded administrator and professor of cognitive and linguistic sciences, agreed to serve until June 30, 1998, when she will return to her research and teaching duties full-time. A committee is now conducting a national search and will recommend qualified candidates to Gee, who will appoint a successor as soon as possible.

The search committee for the executive vice president and provost will be co-chaired by Nancy Armstrong, the Nancy Duke Lewis Professor and professor of comparative literature, English, modern culture and media, and women's studies; and Franco Preparata, the An Wang Professor of Computer Science and Engineering. Other faculty members include Sheila Bonde, associate professor of history of art and architecture; Lundy Braun, associate professor of medical science; Nancy Dunbar, senior lecturer in theatre, speech and dance and director of the Harriet Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning; Karen Fischer, associate professor of geological sciences; Lina Fruzzetti, professor of anthropology; Donald Jackson, professor of medical science; James T. McIlwain, professor of neuroscience; and Darrell West, professor of political science. Administration members include Donald Reaves, executive vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer; and Annie Cappuccino, senior associate director of college admission and assistant dean of the College. There are three student representatives: Jasmine Waddell, president of the Undergraduate Council of Students; Harley Johnson, an engineering graduate student; and Graham Gardner, president of the Medical Student Senate.

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