Dartblog

It turns out that Phil Hanlon and Dean of the College Charlotte Johnson were at Michigan simultaneously for nine years. The Dartmouth press release at her hiring reports that Johnson was in Ann Arbor from 1997-2006:

Johnson brings more than 14 years of experience working with students to Dartmouth. Prior to her role at Colgate, she served, from 2000 to 2006, as assistant dean for student affairs at the University of Michigan Law School, and, before that, was the law school’s director of academic services, beginning in 1997. At Michigan, she collaborated with faculty to create new interdisciplinary academic programs. She was also a member of the legal and communications strategy teams that contributed to the defense of the university’s admissions policies in the landmark 2003 Supreme Court case upholding affirmative action in higher education. [Emphasis added]

Hanlon’s CV notes that he was there during Charlotte’s entire tenure:

The takeaway here is that Phil Hanson knows Charlotte Johnson at least by professional reputation, if not directly. Or he knows people well who know her well. Unless Charlotte has changed dramatically since her Michigan days, Hanlon should know what to do.

The length of time that Johnson remains at the College after Hanlon assumes the Presidency on July 1, 2013 will tell us a lot about his nose for quality people and about his will to make tough decisions. Same goes for how long Hanlon puts up with Carol Folt.

Addendum: Deans of the College usually have three-year contracts. Charlotte’s should run out in May 2014, but if she takes another position before that time, she and the College could come to some kind of settlement.