January 15, 2001

Richard L. Byyny, M.D.

Chancellor

University of Colorado, Boulder

17 UCB

RE: Reappointment of Hal Bruff as Dean of the Law School

Dear Chancellor Byyny:

It is a pleasure for me to recommend that Hal Bruff be reappointed for an indefinite term as Dean of the Law School. During this past semester, I solicited information from Hal’s staff, law school students, advisory board members and other campus deans. I received approximately 20 letters and emails from these groups, including two letters from faculty members who wanted to send their comments directly to me. In addition, the Boulder Faculty Assembly solicited input from the Law School faculty through the Administrator Appraisal Program (AAP). Sixty-three percent of the faculty responded to the AAP.

I have attached a copy of the report of the Administrator Appraisal Committee concerning Hal Bruff. The report summarizes and highlights the strengths and weaknesses of Dean Bruff along four categories: (1) strengths to build on, (2) assets to protect, (3) issues to be mindful of, and (4) areas for consideration.

In the first category, two-thirds or more of the faculty rated Hal in the high range (4 or 5) on moving the building project forward to completion, raising funds for the building and other law school programs, and acting with integrity. In the second category, one-half or more of the faculty ranked Hal’s effectiveness in the high range (4 or 5) on supporting innovation in teaching, encouraging and rewarding faculty scholarship, supporting innovation in research, and fostering an atmosphere that supports diversity. In the third category, most faculty rated Hal as effective (3) on the following criteria: retention of faculty, involving faculty in decisions, leading the law school to an equitable, merit-based salary system, treating faculty at all levels in a fair and an inclusive way, effective leadership in hiring decisions, listening to faculty, staff, and students, optimizing the quality of the student body, and distributing resources. Finally, for the last category, the survey data indicated the following areas that were below effective in varying degrees: providing decisive action and appropriate proactive responses to potential problems arising within the School of Law, constructively managing conflicts among faculty or staff, making decisions in a timely fashion, articulating an appropriate vision, and creating an atmosphere of trust.

Feedback from advisory board members, staff, and other deans on the campus was extremely positive. Hal’s advisory board members cited his excellent work with the legal community in the state of Colorado and his positive relationship with alumni from around the country. They agreed with the faculty that one of Hal’s strengths was moving the new Law School building forward despite a number of barriers that he has had to overcome. Hal’s staff and his colleagues on Deans’ Council also agreed with the faculty that Hal demonstrates a very high degree of integrity. They also cited his commitment to diversity and excellence. The two faculty and two students who wrote to me listed similar positive comments but also listed some concerns that correspond with the faculty’s concerns about managing conflicts, listening to faculty, staff, and students, and setting a vision for the Law School.

I met with Hal and discussed concerns raised by some of the faculty. We both agreed that Hal needs to lead an effort to develop a strategic plan for the School that involves the faculty, staff, and students.. However, given the positive feedback that I received and my own assessment of Hal’s accomplishments during the past five years, I wholeheartedly support his reappointment.

Sincerely,

Philip P. DiStefano, Vice Chancellor

Academic Affairs