Jay Harris named committee chair, adviser to dean

Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) interim Dean David Pilbeam has named Jay Harris chair of the new General Education Standing Committee.

Harris, who joined the Faculty in 1989, is the Harry Austryn Wolfson Professor of Jewish Studies and co-master of Cabot House. He co-chaired the Working Group on the Overall Academic Experience as part of the first phase of the curricular review, and currently serves as the chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization.

Pilbeam said that over the next few weeks he and Harris will discuss membership of the committee, and will make recommendations to newly appointed FAS Dean Michael D. Smith so that membership can be settled before the beginning of the fall semester.

Dean of the College Benedict H. Gross, Leverett Professor of Mathematics, announced that Harris will also serve as senior adviser to the dean of the College, a role most recently held by Pilbeam prior to his being named FAS interim dean. Harris will begin his duties as senior adviser in the fall.