On June 30, Charles Walcott, a professor of neurobiology and behavior, will end his three-year term and two-year additional appointment as dean of the Cornell University Faculty. He will be succeeded by one of three candidates who are vying to win an election that ends March 7.

Faculty members are now submitting their official ballots for the candidates, ranking them in order of preference.

On Feb. 13, the faculty had a chance to appraise the candidates at a meeting of the Faculty Senate at which the three presented their biographies, issued statements and answered questions from senate members. The three are William (Bill) Fry, professor, plant pathology; Jennifer Gerner, professor, policy analysis and management; and Daniel (Peter) Loucks, professor, civil and environmental engineering.

Fry told his colleagues, via speakerphone from South Africa, where he is on sabbatical leave: "An excellent faculty also must have a credible, participatory voice in influencing the direction of the university, using its governance structure to communicate effectively with the administration and trustees. On most issues there is mutual agreement because the various constituents of the university (administration, alumni, faculty, staff, students and trustees) all share a strong affection for the university and want Cornell to be even better. However, different definitions of 'better' can sometimes lead to disagreements on directions. I believe the faculty voice can be heard most effectively through respectful, clear and cooperative discussion that emphasizes our shared values. This approach has been largely our tradition, has been successful, and certainly this type of interaction is my style."

A member of the Cornell faculty since 1971, Fry has most recently served as senior associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (2001-2007) with responsibility for department issues, faculty affairs, facilities, sponsored research and personnel. He also has served as chair of his department (1981-95), on many university committees, including the Presidential Search Committee for President Jeffrey Lehman, and as a faculty member of the Cornell Board of Trustees (1998-2002), where he served on such committees as Buildings and Properties and Academic Affairs.

Gerner said in her statement: "The dean of the faculty must also create an environment in which faculty can discuss their views on university matters, provide input and feedback about university initiatives, and express both support and concern as university decisions are being made. The Faculty Senate and its committees provide institutional structure for this, but the informal participation of the dean of the faculty in discussions with faculty and administrators is also important in assuring that lines of communication are open and effective."

A member of the Cornell faculty since 1974, Gerner has served the College of Human Ecology as assistant and associate dean for undergraduate affairs and administration (1994-2004), and universitywide, she has been active on the West Campus Council and is now chair of the North Campus and Collegetown councils (since 2005). She has served on various university committees, including the University Committee for Academic Programs and Policies.

Loucks told his colleagues: "I believe the dean of faculty's job is to address universitywide issues of concern to the faculty and to try to resolve them through a continuing respectful and positive dialogue between those in the administration that have the authority to make changes and the faculty. With the help of the Faculty Senate and its various committees, the dean should work with the university faculty and the administration toward reaching a consensus on how we can best serve and benefit each other, and Cornell as an institution."

Loucks has been on the faculty in the College of Engineering for more than 40 years. He has served as chair of his department and associate dean of the college as well as on various university and college committees. While on leave from the university, he has worked at the United Nations and World Bank and taught at universities elsewhere in the United States and in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.