University People

Finance Farewell

On April 15, vice president for finance Elizabeth Mora, Harvard’s chief financial officer, “announced her intention to step down” as of mid May, at the conclusion of budgeting for the next fiscal year, according to an unusually plain news release. “I will miss all of my colleagues and will count my years at Harvard as a very important part of my career,” Mora was quoted as saying. President Drew Faust was quoted as offering “our thanks for all she has done to advance the sound workings of Harvard’s internal economy,” and treasurer James F. Rothenberg cited her “diligence and skill” in enhancing Harvard’s financial management and accountability. No further comment was forthcoming from anyone. Mora joined Harvard in 1997, from a career in public accounting, and had served in her current post since 2006. Of late, she has worked on financial planning for Allston development, the search (recently concluded) for Harvard Management Company’s new president, and endowment-spending policies. She has been succeeded on an acting basis by Dan Shore, director of budgets and financial planning.

 

Social Sciences Dean

Lindsley professor of psychology Stephen M. Kosslyn, chair of the psychology department, has been appointed divisional dean for the social sciences within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), effective July 1. He succeeds Eckstein professor of applied economics David Cutler, the first person to serve in that capacity, who has concluded a five-year term. Kosslyn’s research interests focus on visual mental imagery and the design of visual displays (he has written a popular book on effective PowerPoint presentations). He assumes the divisional deanship as FAS dean Michael D. Smith has invested the position with significant new responsibilities for hiring and resource allocation (see “A ‘Pause’ and Progress in FAS,” page 68).

 

FAS’s Faculty Facilitator

Nina Zipser, Ph.D. ’00, has been appointed dean for faculty affairs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The newly defined position encompasses the office for faculty affairs (responsible for faculty appointments and promotions), plus data collection and assessment—a function created by FAS dean Michael D. Smith. Zipser will be familiar with the latter tasks, having run the University’s institutional research function until now. She will also assist the divisional deans with their new responsibilities for working with research centers and institutes.

 

Law Library Leader

John G. Palfrey ’94, J.D. ’01, who had been clinical professor of law and executive director of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, was appointed professor of law and associate dean of library and information resources at Harvard Law School (see “Born Digital,” March-April, page 11, on his current research). Palfrey, who remains Berkman Center faculty director, succeeds Harry S. Martin, Ess librarian and professor of law, who directed the law library for 27 years.