Clayton Koppes named acting dean

Clayton Koppes, professor of history, was appointed to serve as acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences after Samuel Goldberg, emeritus professor of mathematic, withdrew his commitment to the position on May 31.

The position was left open by the resignation of Mary Ella Feinleib last March. James Helm, Professor of Classics, acted as dean during the spring and continued in the position until June 31, when Koppes took over.

Koppes will act as interim dean for one year while the College completes the search and hiring process for a new permanent dean.

Koppes said he was surprised by the offer. "I was preparing to spend this summer working on my book. This has been a bit overwhelming, but also interesting and challenging," Koppes said.

President Nancy Dye, Koppes, Marcia Colish, chair of the dean search committee and Goldberg all refused to comment on the reasons for Goldburg's withdrawl.

Goldberg said that "an issue arose which caused me to withdraw. The issue and my feelings are recorded in a long letter to Nancy Dye dated May 31." He refused to comment further and said that he indicated in the letter that he had no objections to Dye showing the letter to anyone else.

However, Dye said she did have objections to anyone else seeing the letter. "I don't think it's appropriate to talk about personnel matters publically. I never do," she said.

Colish said that the search committee had interviewed and recommended both Goldberg and Koppes, but that the issues surrounding Goldberg's withdrawal were "solely between the candidate and the president."

"He decided there were issues he couldn't resolve," Dye said. Colish said that Goldberg withdrew because "terms to hold deanship could not be resolved satisfactorily."

Koppes said his goals as acting dean include keeping the office running smoothly, working collaboratively with the faculty on strategic planning and building on Oberlin's strong academic tradition by enhancing that tradition through diversity in faculty and curriculum.

Koppes also said, "I already miss teaching. Teaching Oberlin students is the most rewarding thing I've done professionally." He is keeping several advisees and two honors students.

Colish said that the search committee will accept applications through Sept. She said the members of the committee have begun reviewing applications, and will meet on Sept.15 with search consultant Christine Young from Academic Search Consultant Services.

The committee has received 70 applications for the position.