I don't know all the details, of course, but I'm not completely certain about that.JALLEN wrote:He was the Dean of the School here. It's a lateral move at best.
In Austin, he was dean of the Texas School of Architecture. His new position is dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Design. PennDesign includes not only Architecture, but also City Planning, Landscape Architecture, Fine Arts, Historic Preservation, Digital Media Design, and Visual Studies. Sounds like Steiner is happily going home while simultaneously adding several other programs under his authority.
BTW, the previous dean of PennDesign was Marilyn Jordan Taylor. Originally appointed in 2008, she agreed in June 2014 to an extension of her appointment until June 30, 2016. I can't speak to academia, but I doubt the search for a new dean is something that happens quickly. My guess is that Steiner's (appreciated by Texas) move from Austin was several, if not many, months in the making. PennDesign knew Taylor's exit date two years in advance.