News: dean quits; students go on about their lives

We received this e-mail today from the dean. He's stepping down as dean. The only thing that makes this remotely interesting to me is his desire to spend time with students once he steps down and becomes a professor again. It implies that he likes spending time with students. If that's true, why have I seen him a total of four times around campus since orientation three years ago (not including the time I made an appointment to talk to him?

Today I announced to the faculty that the 2007-2008 academic year will be my final one as dean. These past eight years have been the most challenging and rewarding of my professional life. We have hired very talented young faculty, expanded clinical programs for our students, significantly increased student scholarships, and almost doubled the Law School 's endowment. I am grateful to my faculty colleagues for their shared dedication to the quality of the education we provide our students. I want to thank the staff for all that you do to assure the success of our students. I firmly believe that the University of Miami has one of the most talented and socially committed student bodies in the country. We have a wonderfully supportive alumni community who have demonstrated their faith in the School's educational mission by their generous support of the Capital Campaign. It has been a privilege to serve as your dean. I am looking forward to my final year as dean, to rejoining the faculty as a professor, and to being back in the classroom with our students.