Victor Bloomfield is a busy man: In addition to teaching in the College of Biological Sciences, he is also the Graduate School’s associate dean and the assistant vice president of research.
Just this week he added another title to his list: vice provost of research and graduate education, which melds his current job as assistant vice president of research with the recently vacated vice provost position.
Although Bloomfield’s responsibilities haven’t changed much, he will now represent the provost’s office as well as the Graduate School. His responsibilities include aiding in the reorganization of the College of Biological Sciences, which encompasses the formation of four new departments and the planning of college departments’ budgets and academic years.
“My job is to sit in and to represent the interests of research and graduate education,” Bloomfield said, adding that this new job will make sure these issues receive attention. This is an extension of his previous job description that included acting as liaison for the provost’s office.
He will also pay attention to interdisciplinary research that doesn’t fit into a specific department and ensure that it doesn’t fall through the cracks.
Bloomfield’s new position was created by Robert Bruininks, executive vice president and provost, and Graduate School Dean Christine Maziar when the former vice provost of research and professional education, Norma Allewell, left the University for a position at Harvard.
It is an attempt to strengthen the relationship between the two offices, Bruininks said.
“I think it’s going to improve the University’s decisions in relation to research and the Graduate School,” said George Green, associate dean of the Graduate School.
“(Bloomfield) has just ideal credentials for this leadership position,” Bruininks said.
Bloomfield has an extensive history within the College of Biological Sciences, which he joined in 1970 as a professor. He also served as head of the biochemistry department and as chairman of the Faculty Consultative Committee.
“The reason I took this job was to try to represent the faculty position,” Bloomfield said, which is one reason he has continued to teach.
Although he has more responsibility and a little less free time, Bloomfield said it has proven to be an interesting job. It gives him a chance to talk and plan new initiatives with faculty all over the University, he said.