David J. Barron ’94, Harvard Law School’s Hon. S. William Green Professor of Public Law, has been appointed by Governor Deval Patrick ’82 to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the governor’s office announced Monday.
Said Dean Minow: “Continuing David’s track record of superb public service, he will bring his vision and his deep expertise in local government and administrative law to the crucial task of shaping future policies for Massachusetts’s system of higher education. It is just terrific to see him selected for and engaging in this important role.”
The Board of Higher Education defines the mission and sets policy for the Massachusetts system of public higher education, including 15 community colleges, nine state universities and five UMass campuses.
Barron said in the announcement: “A superior system of higher education has never been more important to the future of the state and the nation than it is now, and I am honored to serve on the Board at this critical time.”
Barron fills the vacancy left by former Board member Mario Rene Borunda. Fernando M. Reimers, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, was also appointed to the board.
“David and Fernando both understand the critical role higher education plays in preparing our students to succeed in the 21st century global economy,” said Governor Patrick. “They will bring diversity and depth of experience to the board to ensure every student in Massachusetts has access to a world-class, affordable higher education.”
“David Barron and Fernando Miguel Reimers bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise and far-reaching experience to the Board of Higher Education,” said Charles Desmond, Chairman of the Board of Higher Education. “I along with other members of the Board eagerly await their contributions in service to the Commonwealth. This is an exciting time for public higher education, as we strive to produce the best educated citizenry and workforce in the nation.”
Barron, who joined the HLS faculty in 1999, served in the United States Department of Justice as Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel from 2009 to 2010. After obtaining his J.D., Barron clerked for Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and then Justice John Paul Stevens of the U.S. Supreme Court.
An expert in administrative law and the separation of powers, he has written extensive scholarship and testified before Congress on war powers. He has also devoted attention to local government law. He is the co-author of a casebook, “Local Government Law” (4th edition, 2006) and numerous scholarly articles. In 2008, he co-wrote a book with HLS Professor Gerald Frug, entitled “City Bound: How States Stifle Innovation.”