Dean of Syracuse University’s College of Law to step down at end of next academic year, return to teaching

Dean of Syracuse University’s College of Law to step down at end of next academic year, return to teachingMay 06, 2001Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Daan Braveman, dean of Syracuse University’s College of Law, has announced that he will step down from his position to return to teaching. He will remain as dean until the conclusion of the 2001-02 academic year. The search for a new dean will begin over the summer and will continue through the 2001-02 academic year, until a suitable candidate is found, says Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah A. Freund. Braveman, an expert in civil rights and constitutional law, has been the college’s dean since 1994. He joined the College of Law faculty in 1977. He was appointed associate dean for academic affairs in 1989 and associate dean for administration in 1992.  “After seven years, I have decided that it is time to return to full-time teaching and scholarly activities,” Braveman says. “I have been very fortunate over the years to have the strong support and assistance of faculty, staff, students, central administrators and alumni. As a result, I have been able to exceed the national four-year average for law school deanships.”  “Daan is one of our best deans, and I tried very hard to convince him to continue,” says Freund. “I am truly sorry that he is stepping down.” Braveman will take a sabbatical after a new dean is hired and then return to teach constitutional law, civil procedure and federal Indian law, and pursue scholarly projects. During Braveman’s tenure as dean, a new College of Law facility, Winifred MacNaughton Hall, was built; technology capabilities for teaching, research and administrative functions were expanded; an applied learning program was developed; joint degree programs were expanded; and the amount of financial aid given to students was significantly increased. Additionally, the college expanded its career services operations and student services, and increased diversity among both staff and students. “When we asked Daan to be dean, he wasn’t sure he wanted to do it and he wasn’t sure he would be good at the job,” says Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw. “Fortunately, he agreed to take it, and things turned out as we anticipated. He has been an outstanding dean, providing vision and direction. I am grateful for the leadership he has shown.”

Braveman is the author of a book on federal courts and co-author of books on constitutional law and civil rights. He also has written numerous law review articles on welfare law, civil rights and federal jurisdiction. He is a member of the American, New York state and Onondaga County bar associations, and the American Law Institute. A native of Rochester, Braveman received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester in 1969 and a juris doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 1972.