Dear campus community,
I am writing with an update pursuant to my announcement last week that I will be stepping down as Chancellor as soon as a successor is selected and in place.
My paramount objective in these coming months is to ensure stability and continuity of the leadership and the campus during this time of transition. To that end, I will continue working closely with interim EVCP Carol Christ, the administration and the Deans, and the leadership of the Academic Senate on the important decisions facing the campus, notably our ongoing efforts at administrative restructuring designed to restore the university’s budget.
Some of the most important decisions any Chancellor makes concerns the composition of his or her senior leadership team. For that reason, we will not launch the search for the new permanent EVCP until the new Chancellor is ready to do so. We will also delay searches for the new Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, and for the new Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. These important appointments will be left to my successor to make.
In order to support the transition, I will also be spending considerable time with donors and alumni, including the UC Berkeley Foundation and the Board of Visitors, as well as with the state and local political leadership whose ongoing support is so important to Berkeley's long-term health. Over my remaining time as Chancellor I look forward to working closely with all of you to ensure a smooth transition, and to do all I can to position Berkeley in the best possible way to thrive under new leadership.
Nicholas Dirks
Chancellor