Brian Timney has spent 23 years on the ninth floor of the Social Science Centre – possibly the longest time anyone has served in the dean’s office. At the official helm of Social Science since 2002, his term as dean ends June 30. It has been an eventful and enjoyable ride, but one Timney is ready to end.
“I came here in 1978 and I’ve been in the dean’s office longer than I’ve been a regular prof. It’s been a lot of fun. I’m going to have really mixed feelings, stepping out. I’m so used to being here,” he said.
“I’ve commented to a lot of people that I’m not quite sure how I’ll deal with the lack of stress, once I step out,” Timney continued with a chuckle.
Reflecting on his terms as dean, Timney hardly thinks of the stressors. Sure, they were there, but for the most part, he remembers them as par for the course – challenges any academic administrator could face. It’s the faculty’s victories and successes over the past two decades that, for him, will colour his tenure.
“I came in at a really good time (as dean), just before the double cohort, when the budget model was enrollment based. We had lots of money flowing into the faculty. There have been some really good things that have happened. And for the most part, I’ve been able to ride out any crises – and that’s because it’s been a very good, collegial faculty,” Timney said.
Setting up Western’s Hong Kong Convocation and establishing relationships there is among his highs. The development and healthy thriving of the DAN Management and Organizational Studies program is another accomplishment, as well as developing the Brain and Mind Institute, leading to the cognitive neuroscience cluster, are also wins.
“There have also been some down periods,” Timney added. “We went through the 2008 downturn; we had some layoffs – which was the worst time of my career. But we’ve pulled things back together, and we’re moving along.
“I’ve been able to work with chairs, and maintain their morale, even though I was saying ‘no’ all the time. That was really the worst part – you have people coming to you saying, ‘I’ve got this great idea, but we need a significant investment of resources’ and you recognize it’s something that’s very good, but you can’t do much about it. That’s something I’m proud of – I’ve managed to hold the faculty together over a long period of time.”
As his working days wind down, Timney is looking forward to “staying out of things for a little while.” He’s leaving the faculty in reasonably good shape, he said, having worked over the past two years – when his term as dean was renewed – to tie up loose ends.
“I’ve tried to clean up all of the unfinished business so (my successor) is not walking in having to deal with ongoing stuff. Two years ago, when I was supposed to be at the end of my term and it didn’t work out, I didn’t feel too badly because there were things to finish off. Now, I’ve been focusing on June 30, and I can step out and know the place will be in good hands,” Timney said.
Robert (Bob) Andersen, BA’91 (Political Science), Dpl’92 (Sociology), MA’94 (Sociology), has been appointed to a five-year term as dean of Social Science, beginning July 1. He joined Western this week to serve in a temporary role as special advisor to the provost.
Thinking of his successor, Timney said there are things to build on, notably the expansion of the Public Administration program, and interesting proposals coming from Political Science. With a number of faculty members retiring over the next few years, there will be more resources available, new hires, perhaps.
“He could think about renewal across the faculty, and decide directions he wants to go in,” Timney said to his successor. “I’ve deliberately not written a new strategic plan for the faculty. I have all the ones from departments, but I think that should be his first task, to think about the directions he wants to take on.”
Timney will take July to regroup and relax, taking time to shift his focus to new research projects, and writing things that “have been sitting a long, long time.” He will return to his lab and do some work with the Brain and Mind Institute.
“It will be strange. I’ll miss not being involved in what’s going on at the senior level. Some things I won’t miss, but other things I will,” he said. “It’s been a tremendous privilege, being up here and working with people.
“I’ve got this really warm feeling from people. I’m really sort of satisfied in stepping down. It’s a good time for me to do it.”