September 8, 2008

Dear Colegas,

            Bienvenidos and Welcome to the School of Humanities at UCI. I hope you find the school and the campus a warm, inviting intellectual community. When I arrived here in the summer of 2001, I came with the expectation that I would grow as an intellectual. After seven years I know I am a better scholar as the result of many conversations, critiques, and mutual mentoring. And now, it is my honor to welcome you in my capacity as Dean. A composite of institutional memory, this booklet offers an array of information on the administrative services available in the school as well as the academic personnel system. It will familiarize you with the policies and procedures that will be pertinent to your continued academic success.

            With sixteen departments and programs, eight centers, and six interdisciplinary programs, the School of Humanities has a distinguished reputation for both its global reach and community connections, one that provides the best of a liberal arts education within a premier public research university. Several of our graduate programs have national and international stature. As Dean, I encourage interdisciplinary collaborations within departments, across units, and across schools for such border crossings enrich our research, teaching, and public service. Diversity in excellence makes UCI one of the most dynamic universities in the country. While the campus has grown, the dedicated academic professionals within the School of Humanities uphold a level of accessibility and collaboration typical of small colleges.

            I would like to thank Barbara Cohen, HumaniTech Director, Judi Franz, HIRC Director, Rosie Humphreys, Graduate Counselor for the School of Humanities, Maritess Santiago, HumaniTech Coordinator, and Penny Portillo, Director of Undergraduate Study. Becky Baugh, the Academic Personnel Manager for the School of Humanities, is an indispensable resource for additional guidance on your personnel reviews. Equity Advisor Sharon Block can also offer valuable, well-placed advice. We are a dedicated community of educators and administrators who value the humanities in all of its multivalent expressions.

            I look forward to working with each of you in the months ahead.

            Sinceramente,

            Vicki L. Ruiz
            Dean of Humanities