After 21 years as the University's second-highest ranking official, Provost Sol Gittleman announced this semester that he would step down from the post at the end of the academic year.
Gittleman, who arrived at Tufts 37 years ago, announced his resignation in late October as the University's new president, Larry Bacow, revealed restructuring plans for the administration.
Gittleman will continue teaching next year.
In a statement, Bacow lauded Gittleman's service to Tufts. "He has always personified all that is great about Tufts: a passion for students, a commitment to the scholarly enterprise, and a deep seeded concern for people. Like students and young faculty before me, I have found him to be a wonderful mentor."
Bacow presented his restructuring plans to the trustees during their annual fall meeting. Dean of Engineering Ioannis Miaoulis and Dr. Mary Y. Lee, dean of educational affairs at the medical school, were appointed associate provosts. The dean of natural and social sciences, Susan Ernst, became the dean of arts and sciences. All changes took effect Nov. 1.
Bacow eliminated the position of vice president of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, which was vacated last May when Mel Bernstein left Tufts to become provost at Brandeis University. The president also created a University Council on Graduate Education, headed by chemistry Professor David Walt.
The new council and the associate provost appointments were intended to unite Tufts' seven schools while simultaneously streamlining the administration, Bacow said. Gittleman said that reducing the size of the administration's organizational structure would save money that could be used to improve faculty salaries.
