TRANSITIONS: Deputy provost starts

Law and Economics Professor Michael Wachter took office as deputy provost July 1, replacing Physics Professor Walter Wales, who served in the position for almost three years. Wachter has been the director of the Center for Law and Economics since 1984, and holds a faculty post in the Law School. He was selected for the deputy provost position in March. In the past, the deputy provost has been responsible for all faculty matters -- including appointments, grievances, benefits, promotions and overseeing tenure cases. Wachter will also act for the provost in his absence. But Provost Stanley Chodorow said in March that Wachter's position is going to have less of a focus on personnel issues and will instead target academic planning. -- Amy Lipman Chaplain retires Chaplain Stanley Johnson retired June 30 after 34 years of service at the University. His position remained vacant during the summer, and Provost Stanley Chodorow said the search for his replacement will not begin until early this semester. A committee charged with evaluating the role of the chaplain at a modern university submitted a proposal in April recommending that the position be sustained in the future, with a few alterations. University President Judith Rodin said this same committee, which was chaired by Social Work Professor Jane Lowe, will recommend a replacement for Johnson, who was hired in 1961. During his tenure at the University, Johnson served primarily as a counselor, spearheading programs for students with questions about their sexuality and dealing with women's issues. -- Amy Lipman Press director selected Eric Halpern, editor-in-chief of the Johns Hopkins University Press, was appointed director of the University of Pennsylvania Press by Provost Stanley Chodorow last week. As director of the Penn Press, Halpern will be responsible for developing its editorial program and managing all of its operations, according to a University statement. The Penn Press publishes scholarly books and selected textbooks, reference books and serious nonfiction of general interest. "Eric Halpern has the experience and demonstrated success in building a publisher's list of distinguished works to make him a superb director of Penn's Press," Chodorow said. "He's quite an impressive person -- energetic, smart and learned." Halpern will begin his new position October 1. -- Daniel Gingiss Human Resources vice president chosen Clint Davidson has been named to the position of vice president for human resources, Executive Vice President John Fry announced at the beginning of August. The University's Board of Trustees will vote on Davidson's nomination September 22. If confirmed, Davidson -- who is currently the associate vice chancellor for human resources at Vanderbilt University -- will take over the post October 1, but will not be on campus until November 1. He will spend the month making his transition from Vanderbilt to the University, Fry said. In his new position, Davidson will be responsible for "the development, implementation and coordination of policies and programs encompassing all aspects of human resource management," according to a University statement. John Gould will remain acting vice president for human resources until September 30. The post had been vacated last summer when William Holland left the University after two years in the office. Gould has been holding the interim position since October. -- Amy Lipman

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