MIDDBRIEFS Trustees grant tenure to four professors

Author: ANNIE ONISHI

At its Dec. 15 meeting the Board of Trustees granted tenure to four faculty members, promoting them to the rank of associate professor. Professor of Political Science Erik Bleich, Professor of Economics Jeffrey P. Carpenter, Professor of Economics Jonathan T. Isham Jr. and Professor of German Bettina Matthias were all granted tenure after a semester-long review process.

Bleich published an article in the April 2005 edition of "Theory and Society" entitled, "The Legacies of History? Colonization and Immigration Integration in Britain and France." Bleich said that he is looking forward to the opportunity to "pursue more 'high risk, high reward' avenues" with his students in the coming years, but that the freedom afforded by tenure will not fundamentally change his habits, since he has "been pursuing [his] interests in teaching and research since [he] arrived and will continue to do so."

Carpenter collaborated on a project called "Truckers and Turnover: Using Field Experiments to Understand Driver Decision Making." In addition, he co-authored an article in the June edition of "Theory and Decision" about aspiration-based dynamics.

Isham received recognition for his collaboration on a project to facilitate the nascent climate movement. Of his recent promotion, Isham said, "To put it mildly, I am honored to be tenured at Middlebury. This is an extraordinary community, of which I am proud to be a member."

Matthias, in the German department, echoed Isham's sentiments, saying, "It's a wonderful confirmation of the value of the work that I have done here since 1999, a proof that what I have to offer and can do with Middlebury's resources and great students is what the College wants and perceives as part of its mission or identity. Personally, it is an assurance that I will be able to be around the people who have been part of my life for the years to come."



Ramaswamy to stand in for Dean of Faculty

Beginning in July 2006, Frederick C. Dirks Professor of International Economics Sunder Ramaswamy will fill the position of acting dean of the faculty, vacated by Professor of Psychology Susan Campbell, who will be on academic leave next year.

Ramaswamy has been a member of the faculty of Middlebury College for the past 15 years. His managerial resume includes acting as the chair of the economics department and serving as the director of the Madras School of Economics in India.

As acting dean of the faculty, Ramaswamy's duties and responsibilities will vary greatly from his current post as professor. The dean of the faculty is in charge of making sure that the academic side of the College runs smoothly. In addition, Ramaswamy will be involved in recruiting new faculty members, will serve on tenure review committees and will participate in the maintenance and further establishment of the educational review policies.

The dean of the faculty, along with most other administrators of the College, is traditionally selected from within the College community. Ramaswamy believes that this tradition maintains the close community feeling of the College, because those in charge are already familiar with the environment. However, he also believes that this practice can sometimes hinder progress, since not all great teachers make great managers in an administrative setting.

Ramaswamy said of starting his new position, "Although right now I am not nervous about taking this role, starting any new job will pose challenges… for one year, it will be a good challenge." He continued, "Of course, I will miss teaching my full complement of courses and the everyday contact with my students. I intend to offer one senior seminar in economics and also be there to advise honors thesis students."