“Both Dean Kirby and I have been surprised at how much time it takes, and effort,” Gross says of the project.

Chair of the Department of Comparative Literature William Mills Todd III, who preceded Gross as dean of undergraduate education, said last spring that Gross’ job would be nearly impossible, given the combined deanships and the impending curricular review. Todd says now that Gross has exceeded his expectations.

As the curricular review enters a new stage next year, Gross will supervise four new committees to examine general education, the science curriculum, the Expository Writing program and the controversial proposal to assign first-year students to Houses upon their arrival at the College.

“I just have to devote more time to the curricular review—we’re entering a really interesting stage,” says Gross, who estimates that he will spend about half of his time next year on the endeavor.

Since Gross’ job combines both academic and student life commitments, the review will counterbalance a slew of non-curricular concerns.

He relishes the opportunity to stay in touch with undergraduates by teaching mathematics classes—next year, he will teach Math 122 and 123—and through meetings with student groups and at House gatherings.

But his time spent in the math department dwindled from almost 50 percent of his workweek last year to about 10 percent this year.

“I think it’s essential that those of us who are involved in this administration of the College are involved in the College, and I don’t want to lose that connection,” says Gross, adding that he wants to spend more time in the math department next year.

Associate Dean of the College Thomas A. Dingman ’67 says the time Gross spends with students is vital.“It’s important for him to keep his finger on the pulse and to keep his credibility, and enjoyment,” Dingman says.

Student affairs this year have provided more than ample opportunity for Gross to stay involved.

His office has coordinated the first major concerts on campus in years with the Undergraduate Council, helping to bring Guster and Busta Rhymes to Cambridge.

During his watch, a campus-wide debate raged over a referendum to increase the activities fee on students’ termbills from $35 to $75.

And in perhaps the most controversial move this year, the Committee on College Life—a student-faculty committee overseeing student groups—approved H Bomb Magazine, a publication about sex which features photographs of nude students. The approval of the magazine triggered a flurry of national media attention.

But Gross says it is neither the curricular review nor student interactions that take up the majority of his time. Rather, the majority of his days are spent in additional committee meetings and consultations with members of his staff.

Gross has embraced initiatives to reform various aspects of the undergraduate experience. He saw the freshman seminar program—of which he has been a longtime advocate—grow to its greatest number yet: 115 freshmen seminars will be offered this year. The curricular review report calls for enough seminars to accommodate all first-year students—130 freshman seminars will be needed, and Gross has said he is determined to attract top professors to the 15-person classes.