UC Berkeley chancellor, Robert J. Birgeneau has announced his resignation Tuesday after seven years of service. In his e-mail addressing the UC Berkeley campus community, he did not state a direct reason for his resignation, which will take effect Dec. 31.
Birgeneau said he is grateful for sitting as chancellor during one of the university’s most challenging period in its 144 year history.
Birgeneau plans to return to the departments of physics and materials science and engineering as a regular member of the faculty and will continue to work toward fighting decreased funding and to the public university system. He will also continue to be an advocate for the DREAM Act.
“It has truly been a wonderful privilege to work with such an accomplished and dedicated community of faculty, staff, students, retirees, alumni and friends …. I will continue to devote my full energies to leading Berkeley until my successor is appointed by the UC Regents and will work with her or him to effect a smooth transition,” he stated in the e-mail.
President Yudof is set to appoint a search committee in accordance with the university policy on the appointment of chancellors.
— Muna Sadek