About Undergraduate Studies

The idea for a Dean of Undergraduate Studies emerged early in the discussions of the Task Force for Curriculum Reform at the University of Texas in 2004-05, under the leadership of William Powers, then Dean of the Law School. Most members of the Task Force felt that curriculum reform in core areas must be an ongoing, dynamic process, responsive to the rapidly changing needs of students, as well as to changes in departmental requirements. They also recognized that changes of the scope they envisioned might require years to implement.

Accordingly, a subcommittee of the Task Force, led by Brent Iverson, recommended the foundation of a new unit, led by a dean who would have the care and maintenance of the core curriculum as his or her main mission.

At the same time, the Task Force recognized the need for central leadership over a number of existing undergraduate programs that did not have homes in the colleges, and for that reason were remote from faculty governance and from influence by the academic deans. The Task Force insisted that the new unit be set up with faculty oversight and that it be closely coordinated with existing colleges.

A committee of deans, under the leadership of Dean Stephen Leslie of Pharmacy, met during the spring and summer of 2006 and concluded that such a unit was indeed needed and recommended that it be guided by a committee composed equally of senior faculty and associate deans.

President Powers appointed Paul Woodruff as the first dean effective September 1, 2006. The Executive Committee of the Faculty Council seconded the Leslie Committee plan for the unit’s governance, and the Undergraduate Studies Advisory Committee was convened in November, 2006.

We anticipate that the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies will soon grow into a college or school as it takes on the responsibilities inherent in its mission.