Reappointment of Dean Teri Schwartz

UCLA Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

To: Deans, Vice Chancellors and Vice Provosts

Dear Colleagues:

Following a customary five-year administrative review, Chancellor Block and I have asked Teri Schwartz to continue as dean of the School of Theater, Film and Television. She has accepted the reappointment.

The review committee commended Teri for her energy and tenacity which have revitalized the School since her arrival in 2009. Under her leadership, the physical plant has been restored with up-to-date facilities; the curriculum has been expanded with online courses and certificate programs, innovative interdisciplinary endeavors and new degree programs; and faculty recruitment and retention prospered as she welcomed outstanding new faculty members and worked to eliminate disparities in rank and salary.

She has increased funding for student support and been a strong champion for diversity. With the new vision of TFT as the home of humanistic storytelling, Teri continues to work tirelessly to forge connections not only with various campus administrators and units, but also with prominent industry figures, festivals and organizations, and building networks internationally in Brazil, India, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. In November, thanks to a $10 million gift from Jeff Skoll, founder of Participant Media, TFT launched the Skoll Center for Social Impact Entertainment.

Teri is committed to fostering the diverse forms of scholarship underway throughout the school, ranging from creative expression to humanistic research, and she has provided broad-based resources and support for faculty and student research. This wide range of creative and scholarly activity is one of TFT’s greatest strengths, and we want to ensure that it flourishes.

Among the issues raised by the review committee was TFT’s administrative infrastructure, including staff morale. In response, Campus Human Resources is conducting a review of TFT staff and administrative issues; we have also asked the Huron Consulting Group to assess and provide recommendations for improving the school’s administrative structure and operations.

Chancellor Block and I look forward to working closely with Teri to advance TFT’s goals and excellence. The school has accomplished a great deal over the past five years and its future is bright.

Sincerely,

Scott L. Waugh
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost