Acting Chancellor and Dean of LAS Barbara Wilson said she knows she can not do both jobs on her own, which is why she enlisted the help of Brian Ross, professor in psychology.

Ross will serve as the executive associate dean of LAS until a permanent chancellor is named.

“I don’t think you can do both of these jobs even half time,” Wilson said at a Senate Executive Meeting Monday.

Ross served as interim dean of LAS in 2013, before Wilson was named as the permanent dean of the college. Ross, who joined the University faculty in 1982, has spent his entire career in LAS.

He was one of the first faculty members to conduct research at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, the University institute that deals with interdisciplinary research. Ross also served as associate dean under previous dean of LAS, Ruth Watkins.

“He has a proven track record, and he knows LAS through and through,” Wilson said. “He’s well respected, and I couldn’t be happier that he’s available and willing to do this.”

Wilson, however, said she will not be removed from LAS completely.

“If you want to quantify it, this will reduce my time to 10 percent or less in LAS, mostly on fundraising initiatives,” she said.

The initiatives include restoring many of the LAS buildings located on the Main Quad, she said.

“I feel the dean still needs to be connected to those high level initiatives,” Wilson said. “But for practical, everyday matters, Brian will be taking charge of the college for a year.”

Wilson, who said she never imagined herself in this position, said she was heartened by all of the emails she has received from University administrators offering their help and support.

“I agreed to do this job because I want to help, and I feel I’ll need all of you in a big way,” Wilson said. “I will be calling on lots of people, because it’s the way that I do things.”

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