University trustees meet today and tomorrow to discuss issues including faculty and administrative appointments, student health concerns and the sixth residential college.
The most widely anticipated decision regards whether the board will hire Harvard University Afro-American studies professor Cornel West GS '80 when it meets in full Saturday in Nassau Hall.
University policy bars discussion of potential appointments or promotions until the board acts, University officials said.
But West's name was not listed on recent appointment agendas, the officials said.
Harvard Law School professor Charles Olgetree, who is representing West, said West is nearing a decision.
"Prof. West has not made a decision but will do soon," Olgetree said in an e-mail. "I hope that he stays at Harvard, but Princeton presents an attractive option for serious scholars."
However, West said in a radio interview Wednesday that he had reached a decision. He said he intends to reach a decision late this week.
Robert Durkee '69, vice president for public affairs, said he did not know if West had informed the University of his decision.
But if West accepts the University's offer by Saturday, the board can still appoint him this weekend, Durkee said.
In Washington yesterday, West was arrested with 19 other people outside the State Department building after they blocked the road in protest of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's recent policies in the West Bank. Police bound their hands and drove them to a local police station.
Administrative appointments
Other anticipated appointment news surrounds the hiring of new deans for four University schools and of a director of health services.
The deans of the architecture, engineering, graduate and Wilson schools resigned or announced intentions to resign during the past year. Health services director Pamela Bowen also said she would be leaving her post.
It is unlikely that a new dean of the Wilson School will be appointed this weekend, though several candidates have been invited back, a source said.
It is more likely that a new dean of the architecture school or graduate school would be appointed, other sources said.
Search committees have not finalized their decisions on any deans, but it is possible several appointments will be secured by Saturday, Durkee said.
President Tilghman has been in talks with administrative and faculty candidates the past few days to prepare for this weekend's meeting, Durkee said.
On occasion, the president has asked the board for the authority to appoint an administrator between board meetings. The next board meeting is in June.
Committee reports
The board will examine several issues as a whole committee Saturday and in separate committees today, said Ann Halliday, associate secretary of the University.
Trustees will discuss plans to implement the recommendations of the Wythes committee, which in 2000 suggested an increase in the size of the undergraduate student body and other University changes.
The academic affairs committee will present a review of alumni education efforts, Halliday said.
The student health committee will also examine social options for undergraduates, including eating clubs, fraternities and sororities. It will also discuss the search for a new health services director, she said.
The grounds and buildings committee will receive a report on campus construction and new projects, including Whitman College, Halliday said.
The finance committee will receive an updated operating budget, she said.
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