September 13, 2002

Architecture Dean's Tenure Is Brief; Candidate for Diversity Post Charges Bias; New Hires Announced

By SCOTT SMALLWOOD and ROBIN WILSON

HELLO, GOODBYE: A year ago, Martha LaGess was hailed as the best person to lead the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington. But now the provost has gone back to the drawing board, firing her as dean and calling for a new search.

Provost George C. Wright says he lost confidence in her administrative skills. Her critics on the faculty complained that she was arrogant and had a chaotic management style. Richard B. Ferrier, an architecture professor, says the dean's