Friday, May 15, 1998
Dean of dentistry school nominated vice chancellor
ADMINISTRATION: Hume’s appointment has some fearing
reorganization
By Kathryn Combs
and Lawrence Ferchaw
Daily Bruin Staff
While the UC Board of Regents meets at UCLA, Chancellor
Carnesale’s inauguration isn’t the only thing on their agenda for
the university. During their two-day meeting, the regents will,
among many actions, vote to approve the appointment of Dr. Wyatt R.
(Rory) Hume as UCLA’s executive vice chancellor.
If approved by the regents, Hume will serve as second-in-command
and be responsible for the day-to-day running of the university,
something that Carnesale has, up to this point, been not too
involved with.
"I will rely on him largely as a partner in managing affairs of
the university academically and administratively," Carnesale
said.
Hume has headed the school of dentistry since November 1996.
Carnesale said that while Hume has only been in his position for
a short time, he was able to demonstrate his potential.
"(It’s) true that he has been in the school of dentistry for a
short time, but it was sufficient to demonstrate the strengths of
his leadership capacity," Carnesale said.
Gerald Levey, provost of medical sciences and dean of the school
of medicine, has worked closely with Hume and agrees with
Carnesale’s assessment.
"He has an analytical approach to problem solving – I like that
in an administrator," Levey said.
The executive vice chancellor also has primary responsibilities
for academic planning. Levey said he believes Hume is well suited
for this.
"He is also very oriented toward academic achievement," Levey
added, pointing out Hume’s desire to improve research at the dental
school.
One member of the committee that advised the chancellor on his
selection sees his short time at UCLA as an asset.
"He’s new and he doesn’t have a lot of baggage," said Andrew
Westall, GSA president. "He doesn’t have any enemies yet."
While most agree that he is being promoted because of his
qualifications, they question what exactly his role at the dental
school has been.
"We think he is being promoted for carrying out his job in
dentistry," said Claudia Horning, statewide vice president for the
Coalition of University Employees, "for starting the process of
restructuring, which is now culminating in layoffs."
"With that in mind, people in Murphy Hall might want to keep a
good eye on him," she added.
Meanwhile, Hume has said he will not comment on his appointment
until after the regents vote.
Carnesale and others also point to Hume’s experience in the UC
system, something the chancellor set as a preference for candidates
during the selection process.
Carnesale set this because he did not need the outside UC system
perspective, since he brought that, he said.
Previously, Hume was chair of the department of restorative
dentistry at UC San Francisco. Also, he was a member of the
system-wide UC Planning and Budget Committee and the system-wide
President’s Task Force on Regulatory Reform.
Prior to his position at UCSF, Hume was dean of the school of
dentistry at the University of Sydney. From 1980 to 1986, he was
also an associate professor at the UCLA school of dentistry.
Administrators at the school of dentistry compliment his
performance at UCLA.
"He is a very unique dean," said No-Hee Park, associate dean of
research. "Most of the deans don’t see patients, but once a week,
he participates in patient care activities."
Park also mentioned the amount of research which Hume does and
the recent grant he was awarded by the National Institutes of
Health.
Levey, Hume and Carnesale are in the process of finding Hume’s
successor. Levey said it would be several weeks before that person
is selected.
"He is a leader and a visionary," Park said.
"We expect that we will have more support because our dean is
moving up. We will miss him but we also have great
expectations."