Shirley Neuman, dean of UBC’s Faculty of Arts since 1996, has announced she
is leaving the university to accept a position as dean of the College of Literature,
Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan.
Neuman says her decision to leave is in no way the result of any disaffection
with UBC. She says she accepted the offer because the University of Michigan
is one of the two best public universities in North America.
“I did not seek this opportunity; it sought me,” says Neuman. “I decided,
finally, to take it up because it offers challenges and room for growth that
I believe will enable me to become much better at this task of university leadership
and because it does so in a university — like UBC — of great intellectual
vitality and distinction.”
Barry McBride, vice-president Academic and Provost, regrets Neuman’s departure
and says she has shown outstanding leadership, working effectively in support
of the Faculty of Arts and UBC in difficult financial times.
“I would like to thank Shirley for her many contributions to UBC in the three
years she has been here,” says McBride. “I congratulate her on this significant
appointment, and I wish her every success as she takes on new challenges.”
Neuman came to UBC in 1996 from the University of Alberta where she was chair
of the English Dept. She will leave UBC to take up her new appointment in July.
An advisory search committee to find a new dean will be set up as soon as
possible McBride says. In the interim, McBride will be appointing an acting
dean to begin July 1.
