6C - Tuesday, September 3; 2013 [liV F it The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com ADMINISTRATION Regents approve reorganization of campus security Pollack to be next University provost Coleman appoints vice provost to fill Hanlon's role ByAUSTEN HUFFORD and ADAM RUBENFIRE Daily StaffReporter and Daily News Editor - OCT. 19, 2012 - In response to organizational issues discovered in the aftermath of last year's child pornography case at the University Hospital, University Police, Housing Security, Hos- pital Security and other public safety agencies have been reor- ganized into a larger organiza- tion called the Division of Public Safety and Security. The new Division of Public Safety and Security, which was announced at the University's Board of Regents meeting in Flint on Friday, will be respon- sible for all security and public safety concerns at the University. The University announced that Joe Piersante, current executive director of DPS, will assume the positions of director of DPSS as well as police chief until a per- manent director can be found. The newly formed position' of University Police Chief will report to the executive director, who will report to University President Mary Sue Coleman. Before the announcement, the University's various secu- rity organizations cooperated in campus safety operations, but were independently managed. Regent Laurence Deitch (D- Bingham Farms), the board's chair, said in a statement that campus safety is one of the Uni- versity's top priorities. "The safety and security of our University family is sacro- sanct. We must be and we will always be fiercely vigilant when it comes to campus safety and security," he said. President Coleman said in a statement that the new DPSS will ensure campus remains safe. "We've followed a challeng- ing road to reach this point, but, I see a clear path forward," Cole- man said. "I am confident we will continue to see significant improvements, in partbecause of our shared vision for the future of safety and security on our campus." ' Regent Olivia Maynard (D- Goodrich) said in an interview after Friday's Flint meeting that the board is taking security very seriously in light of the Jenson incident. "There wasn't good coordi- nation and sometimes it takes a pretty tough thing to happen for everyone to realize that coor- dination has to be replaced," Maynard said. "I know we're all serious about it, everyone." Maynard added that the new system will lead to greater unity among University safety pro- grams. "All the various agencies that have some kind of law applica- tion are all goingto work togeth- er," she said. In regards to the search for,a University Police Chief, she said Piersante will continue to serve as interim leader before he has the opportunity to retire. "He's ready to retire, so that's good, and he will do that and there willbe a national search for someone to come in," she said. University spokesman - Rick Fitzgerald said in a statement that Piersante "has made no deci- sion about when he may retire." -Daily News Editor Paige Pearcy contributedreportingfrom Flint. WANT TO JOIN DAILY NEWS? E-MAIL K.C. WASSMAN AT KWASSMAN@ MICHIGAN- DAILY.COM TO GET STARTED TODAY Coleman appoints vice provost to fill Hanlon's role By JEN CALFAS, SAM GRINGLAS AND PETER SHAHIN Daily StaffReporters and DailyNewsEditor - JAN. 31, 2013 - University President Mary Sue Coleman has appointed Martha Pollack as the next University provost and exec- utive vice president for academic affairs. Since 2010, Pollack has served as vice provost for academic and budgetary affairs under current Provost Philip Hanlon, who is set to become the president of Dart- mouth College in July. If approved by the Board of Regents at its Feb. 21 meet- ing, Pollack will assume a two- year appointment beginning May 6. The University made the announcement in a press release early Wednesday morning. "I am thrilled fo have this opportunity to serve the Uni- versity of Michigan as provost," Pollack said in a statement. "This remains one of the world's pre- mier institutions of higher educa- tion, and I am both humbled and honored to be a part of an incred- ibly dedicated leadership team." As provost, Pollack will act as the University's chief academic officer and chief budgetary offi- cer. In addition to her current role as a professor in the School of Information and professor of computer science and engineer- ing in the College of Engineering, Pollack will advance and oversee teaching and research in each of the University's institutes and 19 schools and colleges. In her current role as vice pro- vost, Pollack works closely with the Hanlon to craft budgetary policy, most notably the Univer- sity's general fund budget. Pollack plays a large role in supervising assessments of the University's. schools and colleges and during has been at the forefront of efforts to expand the University's rela- tionship with Coursera, a massive open online course platform. In an interview with The Michigan Daily Wednesday, Cole- man cited Pollack's work with Hanlon as an integral factor in the selection. "They've got such a great team in that office in termsof analyzing the budgetcand where we can look for cost savings - where we can make investments that are really going to move the institution," Coleman said. "She worked really well with the team and with Phil (Hanlon) over the few years she was in that role, and it's obvious to me that she's somebody with enormous potential." Pollack has worked in part- nership with Hanlon, deans and budget directors not only on budgetary issues, but also in developing and advancing new academic programs. Last fall, Pollack and Hanlon taught a one- credit course on finance in higher education to help students better understandthe process of budget- ary and fiscal planning. In a statement, Coleman said Pollack's array of experiences has prepared her to assume the Uni- versity's second highest adminis- trative role. "Martha Pollack is an effective leader who understands how to maintain world-class academics through a disciplined approach to finances," Coleman said. "She has a deep understanding of the chal- lenges and opportunities current- ly facing higher education. Her appointment as provost reflects a deep knowledge of this institu- tion that is grounded in her work as a faculty member, department chair and dean." Prior to being appointed vice provost. - a position Hanlon held before his own ascent to provost - Pollack served as dean of the School of Information. During her 13 years at the University, she has also served as associate chair for computer science and engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Com- puter Science. Her research hasa focused largely on the advance- ment of artificial intelligence, and she has also worked as editor-in- chief of the Journal of the Asso- ciation for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. In an interview with the Daily Wednesday, Pollack said she is thrilled to fulfill the position, and hopes to help the University adjust to dramatic changes facing higher education. "You can see that as a chal- lenge or an opportunity - I think it's both," Pollack said. "We're at a moment where there's real realization where we have to do thingsdifferently." Pollack attributes much of her knowledge and qualifications for the position to Hanlon's mentor- ship while she worked as vice pro- vost in addition to her experience in previous roles at the University. Her goals include furthering the use of educational technol- ogy to adapt to the trend toward online learning. "I'm excited about ways to use that so we can free up time for more hands-on activities and to hold down costs," she said. "I think we need to be more produc- tive, and one way we can do that is making creative use of online technologies. I think we'll see how that plays out in the coming years." Pollack stressed the impor- tance of affordability for students and added that she will work to put the University atthe forefront of affordability. "I think we have to figure out how to continue to deliver a first- rate education - one that gives hands-oneducationthat wellhelp (students) become leaders in the 21st century - and do it in a way that allows access to students, whatever their socioeconomic background," Pollack said. When asked about her future beyond her new role as proost, Pollack said she wants to focus on the next two years ahead. Pollack earned her under- graduate degree in linguistics from Dartmouth College in 1979, a Master of Science in Engineer- ing in computer science and engi- neering in 1984 and Ph.D. in the same subject in 1986 - both from the University of Pennsylvania. She previously taught at the Uni- versity of Pittsburgh in various capacities from 1991to 2000. Judy Lawson, assistant dean for academic and student affairs for the School of Information, said as a fellow dolleague she most admires Pollack's unwavering commitment to students. "When Dr. Pollack first start- ed in her position as dean of the school of information, I was struck by her incredible energy, enthusiasm and down-to-earth approach," Lawson said. "I always ,felt that student interests were a top priority for Dr. Pollack." Moreover, Lawson said Pol- lack's information background aligns perfectly with the role of provost. She said Pollack often spoke about the ways in which the digital age was transforming many aspects of everyday life, including the ways people learn and educate others. "Dr. Pollack brings an uncanny ability to manage competing pri- oritiesand move an organization towards greater levels ofsuccess," Larson said. "I anticipate that, as provost, she will foster high levels of engagement in making the university operate more effi- ciently and effectively. She also has a great sense of humor, which is always a bonus." CSG President Manish Parikh said in a statement that he had the pleasure of working with Pollack on the University's budget. "The Vice Provost was one of the first administrators I had the pleasure of working with as CSG President," Parikh said. "She is gentle, kind and has always been a tireless advocate for our student body. Students and student lead- ers across campus will benefit from her passion, ingenuity and vision." In a Nov. 29 interview, Pol- lack said the University remained financially solvent, largely due See PROVOST, Page 9 I I THE BIGGEST & NEWEST BACK TO SCHOOL PQSYER SALE ; i- t A .,:Y . . k H 1 ' r{'"'a ,"°'@ 41a r .. ' y i '"1 . t' y rvii s f t y' In STUDENT JOBS - -. .. .. r.. help you pay for educational expenses On-ampus and off-campsemployers are always looking for qualified Worl-Study and non-Work-Study students. 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