Finance Prof. Ben Hermalin has been named the new chairman of UC Berkeley’s Academic Senate.
Hermalin, the Thomas & Alison Schneider Distinguished Professor of Finance at Haas and a UC Berkeley economics professor, replaces Prof. Panos Papadopoulos as chairman. The appointment is effective on the first day of the fall semester.
Through the academic senate, the faculty determines academic policy; sets admissions conditions and the granting of degrees; authorizes and supervises courses and curricula; and advises the administration on faculty appointments, promotions, and budgets.
“I’m excited to be working with my senate colleagues and the administration during this crucial period in the university’s history,” says Hermalin, the former chairman of the UC Berkeley economics department. “The senate will be pursuing initiatives necessary to maintain our leadership during a time of budget cuts and policy changes.”
Hermalin, who joined UC Berkeley in 1988, served as the economics department chairman from 2005-2008, and as interim dean at Haas in 2002. His current research focuses on corporate governance, leadership, and Internet pricing.
“Ben brings a wealth of experience at Berkeley-Haas to his new role as chairman,” says Prof. Andrew Rose, who is Haas associate dean and chairman of the faculty. “We welcome his guidance and insights as the university tackles new challenges in the coming year.”