In 1993, then-president Vartan Gregorian began inviting "scholars of exceptional distinction" to become professors-at-large "in order to enhance the existing strengths of particular academic programs or meet special needs," as the position is described in the University's Handbook of Academic Administration. With the appointment of former U.N. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke '62 in February, the University now has four professors-at-large. Though Holbrooke has yet to visit Brown since his appointment, professors-at-large deliver occasional lectures and bring name recognition to the University.
In addition to Holbrooke, the University's professors-at-large are former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Mexican author Carlos Fuentes and linguistic anthropologist Shirley Brice Heath.
University officials declined to disclose how much professors-at-large receive in salary. "We do not give out information about faculty salaries, as we consider that information to be strictly confidential," wrote Jane McIlmail, executive assistant to the dean of the faculty, in an e-mail to The Herald.
Cardoso, who served as president of Brazil from 1995 to 2003, was appointed professor-at-large for a five-year term in February 2003 and is based at the Watson Institute for International Studies.
As a professor-at-large, Cardoso spends four to six weeks in residence at the University each year conducting seminars, meeting with student groups and holding office hours. Holbrooke, architect of the 1995 Dayton Accords and a former editor in chief of The Herald, is also based at the Watson Institute. Holbrooke is "one of the most accomplished U.S. diplomats in recent history," said Geoffrey Kirkman, associate director of the Watson Institute. "We all hope we can benefit from (him)."
Fuentes was appointed by Gregorian to be a professor-at-large in 1993, said Mark Nickel, director of University communications. The following spring, Fuentes began acting as a professor-at-large, co-teaching a class on Gabriel GarcÃa Marquez, Nickel said.
As a professor-at-large, Fuentes comes to campus once a semester to give public lectures and speak to classes, said Enric Bou, chair of the Department of Hispanic Studies. "He is able to gather large crowds" at his lectures, said Bou, noting that they attract members of the community from outside Brown.
Fuentes was ultimately chosen for the professor-at-large position by a presidential appointment. He was "chosen by the department" before the appointment, Bou said, because of his experience and status as a "very well-known literary figure."
"Everyone has a different arrangement" concerning salary that is determined by the Office of the President, Bou said, declining to describe Fuentes' specific arrangement.
Funding for Cardoso and Holbrooke comes from the University, not the Watson Institute, and both were chosen for their posts by the Office of the President, Kirkman said. "There's a range of salaries" that professors are paid, Kirkman said, but he declined to say how much Cardoso and Holbrooke receive for their services.
Professor of Literary Arts and Comparative Literature Paula Vogel taught at Brown from 1999 to 2003 as a professor-at-large and now serves as a regular professor. She could not be reached for comment.
