Walcott is elected to follow Cooke as dean of the faculty

By Jacquie Powers

Charles Walcott, professor of neurobiology and behavior and, for the past three years, associate dean and secretary of the university faculty, was elected dean of the Cornell faculty.

Walcott

A member of the university's faculty for 22 years, he will succeed J. Robert Cooke, professor of biological and environmental engineering, who first was elected dean in 1998 and was reappointed by the faculty in 2001. Walcott, who was elected to a three-year term, takes office July 1, following the expiration of Cooke's term. Also running in the election were Terrence L. Fine, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Danuta R. Shanzer, professor of classics.

"Cornell is unique among universities in providing for its faculty leader and spokesperson to be chosen by direct vote, rather than by appointment," Cooke said. "This autonomy makes it possible for the faculty to protect academic freedom while encouraging high intellectual standards. This linkage to the faculty also allows the dean of the faculty to provide an independent point of view about issues affecting the well-being of the university generally.

"We had a strong slate of candidates -- each with demonstrated experience in faculty governance -- and each attracted broad support. I predict that Charlie Walcott will enjoy this role and that he will excel as a consensus-builder."

With 729 of 2,400 faculty and emeritus faculty voting, turnout was 30 percent, down from the 859 or 41 percent cast in 1998 and the 1,087 cast in 1993.

"I am deeply honored by this election. I feel that the former deans have set an example of openness and judicious frame of mind, and have done an excellent job," Walcott told members of the Faculty Senate when the results were announced at the regular senate meeting March 12. "I only hope I can live up to the high standard that has been set."

Walcott said that as associate dean and secretary he would continue meeting with Cooke and with many senate committees, in preparation for his new position. He said that while he has no set agenda for the future, the dean must be continually responsive to the needs and concerns of the faculty and to work with the administration.

"Budgetary constraints are going to be an issue, but until we understand more about them, I don't see how faculty governance can be very helpful," he added.

The dean of the faculty is the representative of and spokesperson for the faculty and the faculty's chief liaison on all matters in which the concerns of the faculty relate to the president, trustees or other parts of the campus community.

Cooke, who will return to the faculty, decided against becoming a candidate for a second term. He explained that during the past half century, no dean of the faculty has served longer than five years.