Familiar face at Murphy Hall steps in as acting chancellor
BY CYNTHIA LEE
Today Staff Writer
Norman Abrams, an emeritus professor of law at UCLA, will become the acting chancellor of the university on July 1, following the departure of Chancellor Albert Carnesale.
President Robert C. Dynes announced the interim appointment of Abrams on June 15 after consulting with Board of Regents Chairman Gerald L. Parsky; Judith L. Hopkinson, chair of the regents’ special compensation committee; and others. The board will take up the confirmation of Abrams’ interim appointment at its meeting in July.
In a letter to the campus community, Chancellor Carnesale said Abrams “is highly regarded for his integrity, wisdom, fairness, and commitment to excellence. These traits, along with his extensive experience, make him well qualified to lead UCLA.
“I know that you will join me in welcoming Norm Abrams to the chancellorship,” the chancellor continued, “and that you will support his efforts, as you have supported mine, to ensure the continuing success of UCLA.”
Last September, Carnesale announced that he was stepping down June 30 after nine years at the helm. Following a sabbatical leave, the chancellor, a nationally known expert in international affairs and national security policy, intends to return to UCLA to teach and engage in scholarship and public policy issues.
A search for a permanent chancellor will continue and is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, according to the UC Office of the President.
Abrams, 73, joined the UCLA law faculty in 1959. He teaches and writes in the areas of federal criminal law, anti-terrorism law and evidence. He is a familiar face at Murphy Hall. From 1991 to 2001, Abrams was vice chancellor of academic personnel, overseeing faculty appointments and promotions as well as the campus faculty grievance and disciplinary process.
In 2001, Abrams left Murphy Hall to return to the School of Law full time. In 2003-04, he was appointed interim dean of the law school.
“Professor Abrams is an accomplished scholar and administrator, and he knows the UCLA community well,” Dynes said. “I am confident he will provide thoughtful and strong leadership during this transition.”
To read Abrams’ biography, go to www.law.ucla.edu/home/index.asp?page=389.
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