May 2011

Powell Elected 2011-12 Vice Chair

 

Robert (Bob) Powell, a Professor of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science at UC Davis, was elected Vice Chair of the Academic Senate for the 2011-12 academic year at the April 13 Academic Assembly meeting. He will succeed Robert Anderson as Chair of the Academic Senate in 2012-13.

 

Powell, a long-time Senate activist, currently is in his third year as chair of the Davis division of the Academic Senate and member of the Academic Council and Assembly, and has chaired UCD’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science since 2002. He also has been a member of the Academic Council Special Committee on Laboratory Issues since 2009. Previously, he served two terms each on the systemwide Senate Committee on Research Policy and Committee on Planning and Budget, and has served in numerous capacities in campus governance. Most recently, he participated in the UC Davis Chancellor Search Committee.

 

Powell states, “The overarching issue that faces the University of California and hence is at the heart of nearly every Senate discussion is the budget. Nearly every discussion for any foreseeable future will be in the shadow of the continuing crisis that the State and thereby UC faces. The Senate must focus its efforts on ensuring that academic excellence is kept as our foremost goal.”