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Anthony Tarr stepped down as dean of the IU School of Law – Indianapolis and became a leader of the University of the South Pacific (USP).

In announcing his resignation, which takes effect at the end of the academic year, Tarr said he has been very proud to be part of the law school and its broader community.

The decision to accept the new post was difficult, but he said he was swayed by the unique opportunity to make a contribution in an area of the world in which his wife and he have strong connections and to serve in a position that carries with it broader roles that relate to regional issues and concerns in areas such as transport, trade and investment, private sector development, regional security and governance.

Tarr was named dean of the IU School of Law – Indianapois, in April, 2002. He came to IUPUI as the man who literally built one entire Australian law school program and turned another into the continent's benchmark of excellence in legal education.

"Tony's academic background, energy, executive experience, and personality provided the perfect combination to lead our law school and to take it to its next level of success," said IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz.

William Plater, Executive Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculties, praised Tarr as an “innovative dean who continued to broaden the scope of the law school's international programs.”

Plater said the campus will begin considering and preparing for a search for a new dean.

USP, as a multi-campus regional university, is regarded as a premier provider of tertiary education in the Pacific region and is supported by the governments of 12 countries, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu . It has campuses or Centers in all 12 member countries and these facilities serve the 15,000 students studying across a broad range of disciplines.