University Times

John J. Baker, associate professor in the dental school, recently defeated incumbent Irene Hanson Frieze in the election for president of the University Senate. The results were announced at the May 2 Faculty Assembly. (See related story this issue.)

Baker told the University Times that he was pleased to win the election and was looking forward to working with Pitt’s central administration and University Senate faculty. “I’ve been involved in the Senate over the years, and I have a pretty good idea of how it works,” Baker said. “I’m a firm believer in the committee system, which I think is a good way to bring up issues for discussion.”

Baker and Frieze answered questions from the University Times during the election campaign.

(See March 30 University Times.)

“Since then I’ve thought of two additional issues that are important to me,” he said. “One is about the state budget. I had said in the University Times article that I didn’t think that bringing in more research dollars would aid our overall situation to any great degree because research dollars are earmarked for specific projects. What I learned actually came out of what was presented at the recent [Senate] plenary session.”

Speakers at that session, Baker said, demonstrated how successful Pitt is in turning research into jobs, especially technical jobs, in the western Pennsylvania region. “I think we need to get that message out to the state legislators in an effort to improve our state appropriations. I’m sure the local legislators are aware of Pitt’s impact on the economy, and I’m sure the chancellor is getting the message out along with the people who are assigned to do that. But I’m not sure legislators in some of the rural areas of the state are getting the message of how important Pitt is to the region, especially Pittsburgh, but also to the whole state in terms of creating jobs.”

Baker also is supportive of efforts begun by past Senate President Nathan Hershey to improve UPMC health benefits services for faculty and staff.

“I support the work of the [ad hoc] committee looking into this, and while it’s too early to say where that might go, I think it’s very beneficial and I’d like to keep it going in some form.”

Past Senate President Nicholas Bircher has agreed to chair the ad hoc committee on UPMC consumer satisfaction over the next year, Baker noted. “I’ve already been in touch with him about my thoughts.”

Baker also wanted to thank Frieze publicly for her support in the transition period before he takes office. “Irene has been very gracious and helpful. I’ve already spoken to her a couple of times to get a better idea of what’s been going on recently.”

—Peter Hart