The search for a new director of UC Berkeley's Institute of International Studies came to an end Thursday with the selection of a political science professor to fill the position.

Professor Pradeep Chhibber will replace the current director, Steven Weber, and serve a five-year term beginning July 1 after Weber completes his term.

Chhibber will oversee the controversial restructuring of the International and Area Studies division, which will lose its dean position and fall under the direction of the institute.

He has been a political science professor at UC Berkeley since 2000 and teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses, said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost George Breslauer, a co-chair of the selection committee, in an e-mail. Chhibber has also served as chair of the political science department.

"The committee was unanimous and enthusiastic in recommending Chhibber," Breslauer said. "Excellent candidates were nominated and applied. Chhibber stood out in a very impressive group."

The selection committee was composed of 12 members including professors, staff members and students, according to Breslauer.

However, Sarah Porter, senior and Peace and Conflict Studies major, said in an e-mail that the selection process was initially "behind closed doors" and that Breslauer should consult with faculty and students more often during the restructuring.

"The battle for halting the restructuring is lost," she said. "But the war for building a new structure for IAS that is inclusive of faculty and students in decision-making processes is still raging."

Chhibber said he will work to ensure the restructuring does not affect teaching, although he said he thought such an effect is unlikely.

"I don't understand what the frustration is about," he said. "(The restructuring) doesn't affect teaching. Will it affect what the students are learning in the class? ... I don't see it."

Jacob Hagelberg, a junior Peace and Conflict Studies major, said that although the effects of the restructuring are uncertain, faculty and student input should have been considered.

"We will be letting whoever is in charge know that we want to be involved in decision making processes," he said. "Our purpose now is to create a new structure that incorporates student voice."

Chhibber said he will build on the accomplishments of both the current director of the institute and the dean of the division in a new role that combines both positions.

He is now responsible for appointing an associate director for the institute and is expected to do so shortly, according to Breslauer.

Tiffany Lee, a sophomore who took Chhibber's Political Science 2 class this spring, said he was one of her better professors.

"He's very approachable, he's very knowledgeable and his class is very organized," she said.

Chhibber said he will focus primarily on teaching quality, in addition to staff concerns and research.

Additionally, he said he plans to prevent future cuts and losses to the institute and give students more opportunities to work with faculty.

"I actually think that this is an exciting time as the university becomes more globalized and more international," Chhibber said.

Tags: INTERNATIONAL AND AREA STUDIES