May 14: COM dean to step down

College of Communication dean Brent Baker will step down from his position July 31 after serving as the school’s dean for 11 years, BU officials announced this week. Dr. John Schulz, a professor of international communication, will replace Baker.

“Dean Baker was a dynamic, charismatic leader who moved COM forward in ways that will be remembered long after he steps down,” Schulz said. “He sets a standard that will be very difficult to meet.”

Robert Zelnick, the journalism department chairman, said Baker “fought tenaciously with the administration for resources to progress further,” and under his tenure “the quality of professors improved measurably.”

“He will be regarded as a good, significant dean,” Zelnick said.

Neither Baker nor COM associate dean Marilyn Root would comment about Baker’s resignation as the school’s dean.

Baker joined Boston University in 1992 after serving more than 29 years in the Navy, attaining the rank of rear admiral. In addition to serving as dean, he taught COM 101, a mandatory introductory course for all COM freshmen.

Baker will spend the next year on sabbatical leave before returning to teach, according to a press release.

Schulz joined BU’s department of mass communication, advertising and public relations in 1995 after serving on the faculty of the National War College and working as foreign correspondent, chief of correspondents and deputy news director for Voice of America News. He received his master’s and doctorate degrees in international relations from Oxford University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Montana.

Schulz said his appointment “came as a surprise” when he found out less than two weeks ago.

“It was a combination of shock and surprise for a few seconds, but then I was immediately thinking of various components — how to get from here to there, what to learn, what a grand new vision of the college might be — the beginnings of longer-term strategic planning,” Schulz said.

Although he has “learned at the feet of a master” by watching and working with Baker, Schulz said he hopes to get the most instruction for his new post from faculty.

“I’ll meet with my faculty individually, hopefully before the fall term begins, and seek their insights and ideas on many things,” Schulz said. “I want to gather information before making decisions on anything.

“The important thing about taking jobs like this is to take it with an open mind,” he continued. “At least in the previous environments like this, I’ve found that one-third of the people feel they’ve been seen as down by previous leaders and see this as a new chance, one-third will move to schmooze and one-third will be so busy doing work they won’t see you at all, and those are the ones you want to pay attention to and reward with responsibilities.”

Despite difficult economic times, which have included job cuts and salary freezes at the university, Schulz said he will ensure COM does not compromise its educational standards.

“I’ve been in meetings with Chancellor [John] Silber and Provost [Dennis] Berkey, looking at every possible way to ensure cuts don’t go further into the bone,” he said. “Our excellence of education will be maintained, not sacrificed due to budget issues. Every dean has to face certain financial or fiscal realities and work with department chairs to do all we can to make sure nothing is lost.”

While he would not comment on overall changes to the college, Schulz said he plans on modifying COM 101, which he will teach in the fall.

“I’ve been working with Dean Baker and looking at ways to broaden and expand certain aspects [of the course] and consulting with top minds of the university, who will hopefully come as guest speakers for the class,” he said. “One important component among the blocks of learning will be the contributions of the COM faculty; they will hopefully become the capstone of the course.”