May 29, 1997 Contact Maureen Shine (541) 346-3145 EUGENE--The University of Oregon on Thursday (May 29) named UO economics professor Joe Stone dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Provost John Moseley announced that Stone, a nationally recognized economist who in 1984 served as senior staff economist on President Ronald Reagan's Council of Economic Advisers, will become the university's dean of arts and sciences effective July 1. His appointment will extend through June 30, 1998. "The University of Oregon is extremely fortunate to have someone of Joe Stone's qualifications step in and serve as dean for the next academic year," Moseley said. "Joe has served with distinction not only as an economics professor but as chair of the economics department and as associate dean. I'm confident that he will be an effective leader for the College of Arts and Sciences in the year ahead." Moseley said Stone was the consensus choice of the search committee, which conducted an internal search to fill the post. He says a national search to fill the position on a more permanent basis will take place during the coming academic year. "I'm honored to serve as dean of arts and sciences for the next year and look forward to working with the college's almost three dozen programs as we explore ways to contribute to and improve upon the mission of this university--serving our students and advancing scholarship," said Stone. "I especially look forward to emphasizing the importance of liberal arts at the university and for the state as our students prepare for the challenges that await them." Stone succeeds Risa Palm, who is leaving to become dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Palm, a nationally known expert in earthquake hazard response, was appointed to the UO deanship in 1991. "Risa provided us with skillful stewardship during a difficult time for the university and the college," said Moseley. "She implemented significant administrative improvements and initiated some strong new academic programs. We all wish her well in her new position." Stone, 49, joined the UO economics department in 1979. He was granted a leave of absence in 1984 to accept a one-year appointment to the President's Council of Economic Advisers in Washington, D.C. On the council, he served as senior staff specialist in international trade policy. Stone was named the occupant of the UO's W.E. Miner Chair in Economics in 1985 and served as chair of the economics department from 1988-92, as well as associate dean of social sciences at the College of Arts and Sciences from 1992-96. He is currently wrapping up a year-long sabbatical during which he has been studying labor trends. Stone is the author of numerous articles and monographs on international trade and finance, labor and collective bargaining and applied econometrics. He is currently working on three studies: a comparison of public and private schools; an analysis of labor markets; and a study of the trucking industry and the factors determining whether or not companies unionize. Stone is also the author of the 1994 book "Wage and Employment in Local Labor Markets." An expert on public schools and unions, he co-authored the 1984 book "Unions and Public Schools: The Effect of Collective Bargaining on American Education." Stone received his bachelor's degree in 1970 from the University of Texas at El Paso and his master's degree in 1974 from Michigan State University, where he also received his Ph.D. in 1977. A native of Seminole, Tex., he is married to Chrystal Stone, a special education teacher at Roosevelt Middle School in Eugene. They have a son, Christopher, and a daughter, Elizabeth. -30- #O-4096/Local,OrDailies,PDX,HiEd