Robert J. Birgeneau

Cal welcomes its newest Chancellor

By Angel Symoon Brewer
From the September 2004 Print Edition

In a festive ceremony on July 27th, 2004, UC Berkeley welcomed its ninth Chancellor, Robert J. Birgeneau, to students, faculty and the campus community.

Since Chancellor Robert Berdahl announced last September his plans to retire from the top administrative position, a vigorous search had been underway. Following weeks of public speculation, the 26-member Board of Regents of the University of California convened briefly to vote before the public announcement on the final appointment.

While Birgeneau will not officially assume the Chancellorship until October 1st, the University’s Office of the President has already initiated efforts to familiarize the Cal community with the accomplished new appointee.

Extensive information is available at newscenter.berkeley.edu, Berkeley’s official news portal, where one can find clips from interviews and the official announcement ceremony, a University press release, information on “What Birgeneau Believes,” and even a copy of his impressive (and lengthy) curriculum vitae.

Before arriving at UC Berkeley, Birgeneau had a notable academic and professional career. A highly regarded physicist, he received his Ph.D. at Yale and taught briefly there as well as at Oxford University before joining the faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Birgeneau taught physics at MIT for 25 years and served as the Dean of Science for nine years. His most recent occupation placed him at his undergraduate alma mater as President of the University of Toronto, a position he has held for four years. Amidst his work as an educator and university administrator, Birgeneau has conducted prolific research in conjunction with the Bell Laboratories, and intends to continue his work while Chancellor.

As cited in the online feature entitled “What Birgeneau Believes,” the new Chancellor’s key priorities for his office include the expansion of research programs, university/industry relationships, and Berkeley’s top-notch University staff while continuing to facilitate a diverse student body.

“I hope we can have a student population that is genuinely inclusive and serves the entire state of California, not just a portion of it,” said Chancellor Birgeneau in his appointment address.

Birgeneau is also projected to be an excellent fundraiser for UC Berkeley, given his record-breaking efforts for the University of Toronto, which totaled $750 million.

For a man of such merit, UC Berkeley has increased the annual salary for the Chancellor from $315,600 to $390,000. This impressive pay increase comes at a time when the University is facing student fee hikes and budget cuts across the board. Nonetheless, the salary upgrade was seen as vital by the UC Regents in order to attract such a quality candidate.

“The salary that Bob Birgeneau will be receiving is almost exactly what he’s receiving from the University of Toronto,” said UC President Robert Dynes to Berkeley’s NewsCenter. “We live in a competitive market. In order to attract top people, you have to match what they’re earning.”

Aside from Birgeneau’s relevant experience and skills, the new Chancellor has fostered amicable relations with both former Chancellor Berdahl and UC President Dynes for some time now. Dynes and Birgeneau, both native Canadians and physicists, worked together as researchers at Bell Laboratories. As Berdahl’s daughter and son-in-law both serve on the faculty for the University of Toronto, Berdahl has therefore become well-acquainted with Birgeneau and his wife.

“I knew that Bob Birgeneau was the person most likely to be given the nod, and I was delighted when he was selected,” said outgoing Chancellor Robert Berdahl at the July 27th meeting with the press. “We have come to know Bob and [his wife] Mary Catherine as warm, delightful people with a true commitment to improving the institutions they are associated with and the society in which they live.”

Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau has already won the enthusiastic support of the Board of Regents and colleagues; only time will reveal if he is able to apply his wide-ranging merits in pursuit of that same approval from Berkeley students.

“I’m excited about our new Chancellor and hope that he really makes an effort to reach out to the students,” said UC Berkeley senior Carol Chee. “I also hope he gets us more funding! I think Chancellor Berdahl spent too much money on building renovations, when he could have used the money in a way that would’ve benefited students more directly.”

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