New provost named at UC Berkeley

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 17, 2006 | by ,

Political science professor and Russia scholar George Breslauer has been named new provost and executive vice chancellor at UC Berkeley.

The position is the second-highest administrative post at the campus. Breslauer, 60, an Oakland resident, replaces Paul Gray, who will step down June 30 after six years as provost to return to teaching.

"George Breslauer is uniquely well-qualified for the position," Chancellor Robert Birgeneau said in a statement. "He has a deep knowledge and understanding of the Berkeley campus, a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, research and service and impressive skills as an experienced administrator."

A member of the UC Berkeley faculty for 35 years, Breslauer has served as the director of the Center for Slavic and East European Studies, has been chairman of the political science department and was dean of social sciences in the College of Letters and Sciences. In August, he was appointed executive dean of the College of Letters and Sciences.

He will report directly to the chancellor and will help guide policies for the campus, with a $1.3 billion operating budget. Breslauer will directly oversee about 5,000 employees and a $500 million budget.

Breslauer's salary, set Wednesday by UC's governing Board of Regents, will be $285,000 annually. He also will receive a $8,916 car allowance and an annual research fund of $30,000, plus executive pension and health benefits.