Mason named vice chair of Big Ten Council of Presidents

University of Iowa President Sally Mason will serve as vice chairwoman of the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors for 2011-12.

The Big Ten Conference office announced Mason's appointment this week. She will serve with Indiana University President Michael McRobbie, who will begin his second year as the chairman of the council.

Mason and McRobbie will serve along with two past chairs of the council, Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon and Penn State University President Graham Spanier, as the Executive/Compensation Committee for the Big Ten Conference.

The Council of Presidents/Chancellors and the Executive Committee are actively involved in setting the direction of the conference and its member institutions, officials said.