What kind of President?

Date: May 9, 2004

What kind of President?

Date: May 9, 2004

Characteristics of the new president:

1) Someone who honestly DOES value the students

2) Someone who values EDUCATION

3) Someone who will listen to and VALUE other opinions

4) Someone who will take responsibility for the administration's problems as well as the good things

5) Someone who will not base every decision on the monetary aspect of the situation.

Just some thoughts.

Date: May 9, 2004

someone who has been in the library within the past 40 years and values books...

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

Someone who walks across campus, among faculty and students, without being flanked by UPD escorts.

Date: May 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by:
"Someone who walks across campus, among faculty and students, without being flanked by UPD escorts."

These are good . . . . but let's see if we can find a way to write them as things that can go into a job description, either as personal or professional characteristics . . .

For instance:

"Someone who has travelled widely and has broad international experience."

(incidently, that was not a plug for Hudson . . . )

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

A president whose history indicates complete fairness in the administration of all colleges. A president who doesn't favor one academic discipline simply because that is from where s/he emerged.

A president who is skilled at bringing in outside funding to the university but who will not sell the university's soul to the highest bidder.

A president who has no "bootyology" scandals in his/her closet--no whiff of taint.

A real "renaissance man/woman" who has wide and varied interests, skills, documented through his/her CV.

A president whose "open door" policy at his/her current university is verifiable.

A president who, when asked, "Do you know Shelby Thames and Angie Dvorak?" responds, "Who?"

Date: May 9, 2004

Another thing to look for is TIME SPENT IN THE CLASSROOM. A University is a multi-faceted corporation when you come down to it. A president's ability to bring in funds for all departments is important for the growth of the university. BUT, what is the primary mission of a university? Interaction between student and teacher. And the teacher's ability to use university funded resource programs for education, to teach the students. Not strictly to patent a certain new kind of chemical or paint or plastic. These things have wonderful commercial application and many of these do come out of universities and that is wonderful. But a university is more than that. The Medici Family were bankers by trade. But with their wealth, they supported the ARTS.

Date: May 9, 2004

A president who is willing to support the faculty in maintaining high academic standards (for both students and for themselves).

A president who values ideas, not just money. A president who realizes the cultural values a university brings to southern Mississippi, not just the "economic development."

A president who values diversity among the students, faculty and staff, and maintains fairness in hiring practices across the university.

Date: May 9, 2004

Someone who has non stop correspondence, and an excellent reputation with colleagues, staff and students.

Date: May 9, 2004

USM deserves the kind of President that is loyal and passionate about the vision of an international university. USM needs an introspective President that looks at the student body and challenges faculty to develop academic classes to enhance the potential of all who love intellectual discovery. USM demands a President whose first option of discourse is communication not litigation. Students at this university should know that when they see anyone in the Administration that they should have no fear for their rights and freedoms. The kind of President that would inspire others to lead recognizes that a sober, humble, and open mind promotes a healthy, energetic body.

Fear as a first weapon represents a corrosion in character for those that command it. Fear doesn't live here anymore.

'Nuff said.

Date: May 9, 2004

Speaking as an alumnus, I think a president should have the basic management skills necessary to develop a shared sense of the mission of the University, not just the "what" but also the "how." Top-down, authoritarian management simply doesn't work nowadays, except perhaps in sawmills. Why do you think "shared governance" has been a battle cry throughout this mess?

A president should have a modicum of personal charisma. Instead of repelling people with different viewpoints, the president should attract them like a magnet, taking that diverse input to forge real strategic & operational plans.

Date: May 11, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"Speaking as an alumnus, I think a president should have the basic management skills necessary to develop a shared sense of the mission of the University, not just the "what" but also the "how." Top-down, authoritarian management simply doesn't work nowadays, except perhaps in sawmills. Why do you think "shared governance" has been a battle cry throughout this mess? A president should have a modicum of personal charisma. Instead of repelling people with different viewpoints, the president should attract them like a magnet, taking that diverse input to forge real strategic & operational plans. "

Wow, just popped in while looking for another thread and I discovered people have actually been commenting here. Thanks everyone. You never know where some of these ideas will end up!