N O T I C E I N T H I S I S S U E U N I V E R S I T Y TIMES Pitt-Johnstown is filling vacancies BOOKS, in its largest faculty hiring initiative JOURNALS & MORE ever....................................................2 Making science out of art.................6 U N I V E R S I T Y VOLUME 42 • NUMBER 15 APRIL 1, 2010 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH1 Coming April 1: The annual Books, Journals & More issue. TIMES VOLUME 42 • NUMBER 14 MARCH 18, 2010 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH Provost search group Sick-leave seeks campus input bank plan uggestions as to what makes istics he finds most important in a good provost were the a new provost, including that he Sorder of the day at a recent or she be compatible with Nor- proposed open forum. denberg. Pitt is seeking a successor to “At the top of Mark’s list was Provost James V. Maher, who is values, both academic values and by SAC stepping down after 16 years from basic integrity. His benchmark his administrative role to return to for that is to have someone who, Staff Association Council the physics faculty. A 21-member through their actions and activi- (SAC) proposal to estab- search committee, chaired by ties and career, would make their Alish a University-wide Randy Juhl, vice chancellor for parents proud,” Juhl said. sick leave bank of staff-donated Research Conduct and Compli- “We want somebody who sick time is being reviewed by ance and Distinguished Service walks the straight and narrow. In Human Resources. Professor of Pharmacy, heard general, the administrative team Such sick-leave banks, which comments from members of Pitt’s at this institution is relatively have been created at other univer- five campuses during the March 5 conservative in taking steps. We sities, benefit staff members who Pittsburgh campus hearing, which always continue to move forward, have used up their accrued time was broadcast to the regional but we’re not big about jumping off, but still have conditions that campuses via teleconference and off cliffs. We want somebody who prevent them from working. also was webcast. walks that road with us.” SAC unanimously endorsed Pitt already had received more Nordenberg also listed ambi- the sick-leave bank proposal at than 150 applicants and nominees tion as a desirable trait, ambition its February meeting. The group for the provost position, Juhl told for the institution first and fore- believes the proposal is cost-effec- the forum audience. “Out of those, most, but also personal ambition, tive for both Pitt staff and the about 35 have expressed an inter- Juhl reported. “Needing to have an University. Kimberly K. Barlow est and said, ‘Yes, consider me an institution-first attitude was also Randy Juhl, chair of the provost’s search committee, center, Ron Frisch, associate vice chan- active candidate,’” Juhl said. “That one of the desirable characteris- addresses a group of faculty, staff and students at a March 5 cellor for Human Resources, told will be paired down, stepwise, to tics. Very often the person in that open forum with participation from the four regional campuses the University Times the proposal via videoconference. At left is Assistant Chancellor B. Jean Ferke- active-and-qualified candidates, kind of position has to forgo many tish, secretary to the committee. is in the review process. “I have and then to a short list of 10-15 of their own personal activities.” been out of the office and have candidates from which the com- Juhl said, “[The chancellor] tic is that the provost must have what they [themselves] used to not thoroughly read the proposal mittee will choose maybe eight-10 then went on to say that some academic breadth, Juhl said. “The do. You see a faculty member or yet,” Frisch said. “I am assuming candidates to have off-site inter- of these values are contrasting provost has a wide range of activi- a new dean make a substantial that once I review the material, I views with.” or opposing and it’s the balance ties to oversee and disciplines to contribution and to know that will ask my staff to conduct some The committee expects to of them that will end up being deal with. He or she needs to be you plowed the field for them additional research ... and then recommend four-six unranked important. He wants a provost able to talk Japanese armor from a to grow whatever they’re doing prepare my own discussion notes candidates to Chancellor Mark that both is competitive and col- historical perspective at one time, — you need to take satisfaction for a future discussion with the Nordenberg by the end of May. laborative and knows when to be and then talk about nano-tubules from that,” he said. “And lastly University leadership. Pitt hopes to have a new provost each. There are some times when and that science in the next con- Mark said the new provost needs “I anticipate this process could in place by the start of the fall we have competitions within the versation. Not only does a provost to be strong when it’s required take weeks and I do not anticipate term, Juhl said. University, and a little of that is need to have some knowledge and gentle when it’s required, a response until mid-spring.” All the work of the commit- good; most times we have col- of the wide range of disciplines, getting the most out of everybody q tee will be strictly confidential, laborations that we need to do in but also the ability to appreciate, and making the environment as At SAC’s March 10 meet- he added. order to get things done, and very encourage and accommodate the convivial as it can be.” ing, the issue of potential pay Academic search firm R. often we’re competing, at least in wide range of faculty activities,” q increases was discussed. SAC William Funk and Associates our minds, against other universi- he said. “Needing communication The forum was scheduled for President Gwen Watkins referred of Dallas, Texas, has been hired ties. You’ll find another hallmark skill, both written and speaking two hours but ended 40 min- to University Times coverage that to help the committee identify of this administrative team is to be skill, is another thing that goes utes early when the last person quoted Pitt’s senior administration national candidates and check very competitive. We like to think without saying.” addressed the committee. Among as saying that employee raises in credentials. we’re better than other universi- The chancellor also favors a the suggestions, comments and the next fiscal year are a priority. At the committee’s first meet- ties and we like to select data that provost with a nurturing character, questions were: (See March 4 University Times.) Pitt ing in February, Juhl noted, the show us how to get there. We like Juhl reported. “Very often the • Pitt-Greensburg President has had a salary freeze in place for chancellor gave his charge and to be data-driven.” provost needs to get satisfaction Sharon Smith said, “There are two the current fiscal year. supplied some of the character- One self-evident characteris- from someone else doing well classes of qualified provost candi- Rich Colwell, SAC vice presi- dates: the lifers and those who are dent of steering, is one of two leap-frogging to another position. SAC voting representatives on the I believe I’m correct in assuming University planning and budget- Budget committee OKs capital projects that Pitt’s preference is truly for a ing committee, which makes salary he Board of Trustees budget committee expansion of Bouquet Gardens and creation/reno- lifer. But, how do you discriminate increase recommendations to the on March 15 approved $44.995 million in vation of 13 physics labs as part of the mid-campus among the candidates to identify chancellor. Colwell assured SAC Tfunding for eight capital budget projects that complex project on the Pittsburgh campus. that kind of a person?” “we will do our best to let the recently were approved by the trustees property The budget also covers upgrades to Pitt-Brad- Juhl responded: “Because concerns of the staff be known that and facilities committee. (See March 4 University ford’s Fisher Hall and infrastructure upgrades to we’re in a very attractive place to we feel that a raise is necessary for Times.) Pitt-Greensburg’s Smith Hall. be, it would be nice to have on a this fiscal year coming. We have The funded projects include additional student The fiscal year 2010 capital budget for the resume that one was the provost been reassured from the upper housing rooms in Lothrop Hall, replacement of air projects totals $45.985 million. Of that amount, here when in search of a presidency administration that they will do handling units at Chevron Science Center, construc- $990,000 for the Lothrop Hall project previously or chancellorship. everything possible to make that tion of a greenhouse on the Langley Hall roof, had been approved by the budget committee. “We’re looking for someone happen.” renovation of the William Pitt Union’s ninth floor, —Kimberly K. Barlow n who has the ability to leap, but SAC’s salary and job classifica- CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 1 U N I V E R S I T Y TIMES Johnstown launches largest faculty hiring effort he search is on to fill educational opportunities our communication/journalism and ibility for future program develop- initiative. “The remainder of those vacant faculty positions at students expect.” mass media.