The Michigan Daily-Thursday, September 6, 1979-Page 9B
Regents have
the last word
(Continued from Page 8)
dent-oriented aroused much interest
campus, and, as a result, the Regen-
eceived much feedback on the issue.
ut the biggest confrontation of the.
r centered around the March and
rit Regents meetings. Thousands of
dents and faculty on campus had
ed the Board to withdraw all stock
dings from corporations which do
ness in South Africa, alleging such
panies encourage the racial
crimination practiced in that coun-
hen the Regents refused to take up
issue, protesters disrupted the
etings, a court battle ensued, and the
dent forces left campus at the end of
ones who make policy, with the Board
simply approving the called-for
measures.
Many students ascribe to this notion.
University graduate student and for-
mer student government represen-
tative Jim Sullivan said he believes
there is some truth in the allegation.
"FROM TIME to time ... the Regen-
ts reject the vice-presidents' decisions,
(but) usually they do follow the
recommendations of the vice-
presidents," Sullivan said.
"Some Regents do more homework
than others," he added.
But Regents and the vice-presidents
staunchly defend the present system,
V.P.1
By MITCH CANTOR
During a meeting of the University
Regents last year Interim University
President Allan Smith accidentally
referred to Vice-President James
Brinkerhoff as "Regent Brinkerhoff."
"I promoted him, I guess," Smith
quipped.
"That's a demotion," retorted one of
the Regents.
Indeed, many observers around the
University maintain that it's actually
the veeps-and not the Regents-who,
with the president, run the show at the
University.
WHILE THE Regents hold final
authority on all high-level University
decisions, hardly any item comes
before their attention unless it has been
deemed important by the vice-
presidents.
The six men, who-unlike the Regen-
ts-must deal with University decisions
on a day-to-day basis, deal closely with
the president, as well as many lower-
level officials.
There is also a great deal of interac-
tion between the six administrators
themselves. Despite the differences in
their official duties, one factor keeps
them in constant touch with each other:
All programs, in order to work, depend
on funding. So they try to keep
somewhat abreast of each others' plans
in order that the University budget is
most effectively used.
WHILE COMMUNICATION between
s keep the'U' in
the six men is often informal, weekly
scheduled meetings, usually held on
Tuesday mornings in the Ad-
ministration Building, ensure that the
group has a chance to coordinate plans
and discuss large projects as well as
their individual plans.
The veeps are decision-makers, as
well as information suppliers. The for-
mer roles are in their everyday stations
as high-level executives keeping the
University running on a day-to-day
basis. The latter roles are in their
relationship with the Regents.
presidents are:
" James Brinkerhoff-vice-president
and chief financial officer for the
University. The -56-year-old ad-
ministrator, who has worked in some
Big Ten school for the past 17 years,
supervises the University finances,
business, and property. He is the
school's money manager.
s Henry Johnsou-vice-president for
student services. The youngest veep at
42, Johnson serves as the chief ad-
ministrative officer of the Office of
Student Services (OSS), giving him the
power to appoint directors for the dif-
ferent divisions of OSS.
- Richard Kennedy-vice-president
for state relations and planning. The 46-
year-old Kennedy serves as the school's
chief liason to the state legislator. He is
gear
reponsible for keeping up with
budgetary matters, proposed
legislation, and other questions arising,
in Lansing which could affect the
University. Based on his experience, he
is to inform and advise the president on
all such matters. Kennedy has been
with the University on- and off for 23
years.
" Charl*ts Overberger-vice-
president for research. Not only does
Overberger, 59, supervise the school's
research, but he also acts as a link bet-
ween the University and other in-
stitutions which provide financial sup-
port for research at the University. he
has been with the University since 1967.
" Michael Radock-vice-president
for University relations and develop-
ment. The bulk of Radock's work is in
alumni relations and fundraising. He
also oversees University publicity.
Radock has been with the University
since 1961.
" Harold Sharpio-vice-president for
academic affairs. Spending much of his
daily time with the deans from the dif-
ferent schools, Shapiro oversees the
school's academic programs. The 44-
year-old economist', who often works
closely with Vice-President
Brinkerhoff, has been with the Univer-
sity since 1964.
ji
'our task is not to'
run the University on
a day-to-day basis,
but to set policy.'
-Regent Deane
Baker (R-Ann
Arbor)
U I
.i
THE U of M MEN'S CLEE CLUB
year promising to take up the issue
in in the fall.
HENEVER POLICY decisions like
t of the South Africa issue arise,
ny on campus question the Board's
resentation. As has often been the
e in the history of the University,
ny members of the school's
ademic community claim that
iversity students-who they say
uld have the strongest voice in cam-
s affairs-have no representation on
',governing board..
Many on campus also question just
w well versed the Regents are on
iversity issues, since they all have
Il-time jobs or other significant out-
le commitments. Critics often claim
University president and six vice-
esidents, who make recommen-
tions on most issues, are actually the
saying that Regental votes are by no
means "rubber stamps."
Vice-President for Student Services
Henry Johnson says the Regents "work
their buns off. They give us our direc-
tion. They make the policies, and we
(adminstrators) implement them.
They don't carte blanche anything for
us," Johnson concluded.
'Regent Deane Baker also says the
Board puts careful consideration into
all its decisons. "Our task is not to run
the University on ,a day-to-day basis,
but to set policy," he said.
An informal poll taken by the Daily
last February showed that over 55 per
cent of the students on campus had no
idea who' the current University
president was. With its members rarely
on campus, the governing board is
likely to be even less well-known.
Daily Photo
UNIVERSITY VICE-PRESIDENT Henry Johnson (left) and James Brink-
erhoff sit quietly as more than 200 protesters demonstrate at the Regents
meeting last March.
. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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