University of California President Robert C. Dynes announced today (June 26) the appointment of Robert D. Grey as acting chancellor of UC Riverside, effective June 29, 2007.
Grey, 67, a UC veteran and seasoned academic administrator, will assume on an interim basis the responsibilities of Chancellor France A. Córdova, who is leaving UC to assume the presidency of Purdue University. A national search for Córdova’s permanent successor will commence shortly.
Dynes made the interim appointment in accordance with UC policy and after consulting with several UC regents, including Richard C. Blum, board chairman, and Judith L. Hopkinson, the current chair of the regents’ compensation committee.
Grey recently served as executive assistant to the chancellor for health affairs at UC Riverside, in which capacity he has served as a consultant to the campus in planning its School of Medicine. Prior to his work with UCR, Grey had a long and distinguished career at UC Davis. A member of the UC Davis faculty since 1967, he served as dean of UC Davis’ Division of Biological Sciences from 1985 until tapped as interim provost and executive vice chancellor in May 1993; he was appointed permanently to that post in January 1995. Grey graduated from Phillips University in Oklahoma and received his doctoral degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where he taught and conducted research before joining the UC Davis faculty.
He is the recipient of numerous awards and has consulted with many universities on academic and administrative issues. Among his honors are the Distinguished Teaching Award of the Davis Division of the Academic Senate, the Magnar Ronning Award for Teaching Excellence and a distinguished alumnus award from Phillips University. He is a member of numerous professional societies and has also been a reviewer and editorial consultant for several professional journals and has published extensively in his research area, biology of fertilization and cell biology.
“I am delighted that Bob Grey has agreed to lend his considerable talents and experience to us and the Riverside community during this transition period,” said Dynes. “His relationship with the campus leadership team combined with his extensive knowledge of the university and of the key issues pertinent to UC Riverside, make him an excellent choice as acting chancellor.”
“I am honored and thrilled to serve UC Riverside in this capacity,” said Grey. “From my previous stay there I know that the campus is blessed with an excellent faculty and an excellent staff, and the larger community in inland southern California is enthusiastic and supportive of the campus’ endeavors.
“Chancellor Córdova developed a vision for the campus that was bold and exciting and I intend to sustain the momentum generated by that vision. I look forward to working hand in hand with the faculty staff and students on the campus and with the alumni, business and community leaders, and members of the entire UC Riverside community. Working together we can advance both the campus and the community in the year ahead.”
Grey, currently retired from UC, will return to active status to accept the appointment. As acting chancellor, Grey will receive the following compensation and benefits:
An annual salary of $300,000; Per policy, a monthly auto allowance of $743; Per policy, use of administrative funds for official entertainment and other business-related purposes; Per policy, standard sick leave and vacation accrual; Consistent with policy, Grey will continue to receive his UC pension and be eligible for health benefits; Because UC policy requires chancellors to live in UC-provided housing, Grey will live in the chancellor’s residence in Riverside during his service as acting chancellor. This is an exception to policy since he will be serving in an acting capacity.# # #
A photo of Grey is available at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2007/greyphoto.jpg
For UC Riverside’s reaction to Grey’s appointment, please visit: www.newsroom.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/display.cgi?id=1625