UR picks veteran dean as interim president

Diana Louise Carter//January 12, 2018//

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The University of Rochester’s Board of Trustees has selected a retired dean and longtime philosophy professor, Richard Feldman, as interim president to replace Joel Seligman when he steps down at the end of February.

Feldman, who has worked at UR since 1975 and was taking a sabbatical, had intended to return to teaching once his sabbatical was over, according to a statement announcing the selection by trustee chairman Danny Wegman. He was dean of the college from 2006 to 2017.

Richard Feldman, professor of philosophy and dean of the College at the University of Rochester June 09, 2011. //photo: J. Adam Fenster/University of Rochester

“As a scholar, an award-winning teacher, and a supremely capable and compassionate administrator, Rich Feldman is respected and admired by students, faculty, and staff alike. The University could not ask for a better leader for this next chapter in the institution’s history,” Wegman said in his written statement.

Seligman announced his resignation Thursday, within two hours of the release of an independent investigation into UR’s handling of sexual abuse complaints against Prof. T. Florian Jaeger. The university had found no evidence to support sanctions against Jaeger and promoted him while its own investigation was underway. Eight former and current students and faculty have filed a federal lawsuit against the school.

Wegman said, “Even before he formally steps into the presidency on March 1, the board and I have asked Rich to immediately take responsibility for leading the effort to respond to the independent investigation report, and to make it his top priority to work with members of the University community and the Board to develop a plan to act on the report’s recommendations.”

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