Brandeis University president Reinharz to retire

The president of Brandeis University, who came under intense criticism for recommending that the school close its art museum and sell parts of its $350 million collection, says he is stepping down.

Jehuda Reinharz told the school's trustees this week he will remain on the job until a new president has been selected, or until June 30, 2011.

Reinharz told The Justice student newspaper, which first reported the resignation, that it had nothing to do with the uproar caused by his decision in January to close the Rose Art Museum. He says he's stepping down because he has met his goals.

Since Reinharz took over in 1994, the university has upgraded the caliber of its students, gone on a building spree, established new academic programs, and tripled its endowment.

“For more than 15 years, with the help of a talented staff and faculty and an engaged and active board, we have made significant progress in advancing the mission of Brandeis,” said President Reinharz in a statement issued by the university.  “It is now the appropriate time for me to move onto the next phase of my professional life.  I also want to provide ample time for the Brandeis community to find its next leader.”


President Reinharz began his tenure at Brandeis in 1982 and served in multiple roles, including provost, prior to being named the seventh president of Brandeis in 1994.  Since then, President Reinharz has been responsible for transforming the University’s facilities into state-of-the art teaching and learning environments through a campus-wide expansion and redevelopment that includes a new Science Center, Humanities Center and Student Center.  He has also significantly increased the number of endowed chairs for faculty, and opened ten new research centers and institutes including the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life, the Crown Center for Middle East Studies and the Mandel Center for Jewish Education.
 
“Jehuda Reinharz has brought an extraordinary vision to this University.  Under his leadership, Brandeis has become a stronger institution, with a national and international reputation for academic excellence,” said Mal Sherman, chairman of the Brandeis Board of Trustees.  “Few leaders in higher education today have demonstrated the level of commitment that Jehuda has, and we are all grateful for his service and his continued leadership.”