Boston University is set to hire a new dean for the College of Fine Arts by September 2010, officials said.
BU will begin an international search with a yet to be selected professional search firm and a special committee-appointed by Provost David Campbell and CFA-for reviewing potential candidates, CFA spokeswoman Jean Connaughton said.
?’We have been looking for the appropriate time to move forward and this is it,’ BU spokesman Colin Riley said. ‘We have successfully finished our other dean searches in recent years and this is just a part of the president’s strategic plan.’
?CFA Theater Arts Director James Petosa said in an email that the search for a permanent dean was inevitable following the recent dean appointments of other colleges at BU.
?’The President and the Provost have been saying for several years that the search for a permanent dean for CFA would begin after several other searches for permanent deans were completed across the campus,’ Petosa said. ‘So, this has not come as a surprise.’
?Riley said a committee consisting of BU faculty and special selections by the provost will review all candidates.
‘This committee works as a group to identify appropriate candidates and communicates what qualities they are looking for,’ Riley said.
The current CFA Dean ad interim Walt Meissner, who graduated from CFA in ’81, has been at BU since 2002, Riley said.
Meissner served during a period of tremendous change at CFA and has participated in the search processes that have provided stability to the Schools of Theater, Music, and Visual Arts, Petosa said.
?’He has spearheaded significant growth in the College’s fund raising, created and begun the execution of a much needed facilities plan for the College and has advocated effectively for support for the College and its programs,’ Petosa said.
Petosa said he has appreciated Meissner’s leadership.
‘You cannot work with him without becoming aware of his basic integrity and his genuine sincerity and concern for the good of the college and its faculty, staff and students,’ Petosa said.
?CFA sophomore Ana Tobin said she hopes whoever gets the position will establish a personal relationship with his students as Meissner has.
‘I have never personally met him,’ she said.’ ‘[But] I feel like I know him because he sends you emails all the time and if you send him an email he responds personally instead of having an aid email you on his behalf.’
?CFA graduate student Tiffany Chang said she is excited for a new dean and hopes it will provide a new direction for the three schools.
?’I think having a new dean will definitely offer something different,’ Chang said. ‘As a new student in the grad program, I hope the new dean will have visions for the school that will help it grow even more than it has in the past.’
Saba Hamedy contributed to the reporting of this article.
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