Lorna R. Marsden, York's president and vice-chancellor, has announced that John Lennox, dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, is stepping down for health reasons and will not serve a second term as dean as previously announced. He will be replaced as dean on an interim basis by University Professor Ronald Pearlman, a former associate dean of graduate studies.

Lennox will return to his professorial position in the English Department in the Faculty of Arts. He will also continue in his role as academic convenor of the upcoming Congress for the Humanities and Social Sciences, which will be held at York in spring 2006.

"John has been a wonderful champion of graduate studies and graduate students at York," said Sheila Embleton, York's vice-president, academic. "Through his academic stature and personable style, John leaves FGS uniquely well-positioned to face the challenges that lie ahead. John will remain fully engaged in University life and we look forward to a great congress here at York in 2006."

Pearlman, University Professor of biology in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, will take over as interim dean of Graduate Studies effective from July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2007. Pearlman, who received his PhD in biochemistry from Harvard University, is also director of the York University Core Molecular Biology and DNA Sequencing Facility.

 "Ron has been a leader in FGS and in the York community as a whole for many years," said Embleton. "His commitment to research and to graduate studies in general is unparalleled. I am confident that FGS remains in the best possible hands. I wish both John and Ron well in their new responsibilities."