Chronicle Speculates on Chancellor Replacement

The SF Chronicle's Matier and Ross wrote today that sources within the university are pointing to University of Toronto President Robert Birgeneau as the likely choice to succeed Robert Berdahl and become the next Chancellor of UC Berkeley.

Birgeneau admitted to being interviewed for the job, but denied he was offered the position.

Nonetheless, Birgeneau left little doubt that he's ready to take the post if it comes his way, saying that Berkeley is "simply the best teaching and public research university'' and that "no matter what happens, I feel privileged to be in that pool of candidates considered to lead it.''

The Chronicle points out that Birgenau shares some connections with current UC President Robert Dynes. They were both colleagues at AT&T's Bell laboritories and both hail from Canada.

If Birgeneau ends up being the choice it is sure to disappoint many on campus who were pushing for a female and/or or minority Chancellor.

Perhaps to begin pacifying this crowd Birgeneau mentioned in the interview that he would bring "a very deep commitment to equity and inclusion." It sounds familiar to the type rhetoric regularly employed by Berdahl on these issues. How much it will pacify remains to be seen.

No date for an announcement has been set, but speculation has heightened in the last few weeks. It remains to be seen whether Birgeneau is the choice or if university officials threw this story to the Chronicle to throw everyone off the chase.
Email This Post!