Page 8-Saturday, July 28, 1979- The Michigan Daily
PRESIDENT FACES DIVERSE CONSTITUENCY:
Everyone wants some
By JULIE ENGEBRECHT in\ serving the members of the com-
One of the things that makes the munity.
position of University president so Vice-President for Student Services
complex is that the chief administrator Henry Johnson said the president
must answer to a diverse constituency. should "be first of all an educational
To further complicate things, it seems leader, with an overview and vision of
as if each segment of the constituency what quality education and higher
has a different idea of what a Univer- education are all about."
sity president should do. ONE OF Johnson's main concerns is
Faculty, students, alumni, and ad- that "the president be a very good
ministrators have all expressed con- listener. I think that is very good in any,
ceptions of the president's job. The dif- employer-employee relationship," he
ferent opinions make it clear that the said.
president must fulfill a variety of roles Johnson said a high level of trust in
thing from'U' chief
his colleagues is an important presiden-
tial trait.
Vice-President for University
Relations and Development Michael
Radock said a president should be able
to deal with alumni and perform other,
public duties. Radock also said a
president plays a great role in soliciting
private support and funding.
Richard Corpron, chairman of the
Senate Advisory Committee on Univer-
sity Affairs (SACUA), said the ability
to deal with the state legislature on
University matters is of primary im-
portance.
"HE SHOULD also look to the faculty
for advice on new and innovative
programs," he also said.
Corpron added that it is important for
the president to develop good relations
with the faculty, but pointed out "the
president ought to be an individual who
establishes a close relationship with
students and alumni too.
"The president should take a look at
the course we should be taking in the
future - examining the role the
University should play nationally and
internationally," Corpron concluded.
Former President Robben Fleming
described the president's post as the
"typical chief executive's job."
Fleming said a president must deal
with policy questions which are too
tough for everyone else to decide.
FLEMING SAID a president deals
with very few of the University's daily
operating problems.
The former president, who resigned
his post last January, said a president
has to decide "how you approach the
legislature, and how much (money) you
ultimately ask for."
Fleming said decision-making is the
internal function of the president, but
he described the external function as
holding much significance. He said the
president has to become a member of
the academic community, and he "has
to be aware of alumni." Fleming added
that the president "is invited to make
all kinds of speeches," and serves a
"social function. The president is
required to entertain a lot, making the ,
job of the president's wife just as im-
portant as his, Fleming said.
Fleming also said the president's role
as having international and national
consideration - especially because the
University is involved in research and
teaching programs abroad.
THE FORMER chief executive
described his old job as "sort of
snowball in a sense. The more you get
into, the more you are asked to do."
Interim University President Allan
Smith said one of the most important
roles of the president is that of a
spokesperson for the University.
Many students say a president should
be supportive of all ideas brought forth
in the University community and ac-
cessible to students.
"The president has to be open-
minded," said Jim Alland, president of
the Michigan Student Assembly (MSA).
"It's a tough time. The economy is
tightening, and there are many issues
he'll have to deal with.
"It's important the person have
charisma and the ability to lead people.
He has to listen to a variety of special
interests," Alland said. "And it's also
important the person realizes how im-
portant compromise is. You've got to be
able to compromise."
"THE PRESIDENT must set out
clearly and definitely which policies
and goals the University is committed
to and how it is going to fulfill these
commitments," according to the
student advisory committee for the
presidential search.
"The president cannot control in-
dividual deans and department heads
or faculty, but he or she is able to set the
overall tone and attitude for the
University," it continued. "The new
president must be able to work effec-
tively with state, federal, and philan-
thropic funding sources."
Shapiro's daughters proud
of new appointment
(Continued from Page 5)
to my father, (which is) one of the
things I'm going to enjoy the most."
However, she said that does not mean
she will use that advantage as leverage
in getting her concerns about the
University addressed. Instead, she said
she will go to him for answers and ad-
vice because he'll be in the best position
to give it.
"But I wouldn't expect him to be a
miracle man with all the answers."
ANNE SAID she thinks students are
most concerned about the rising cost of
attending the University, and what they
get for their money. She explained that
although she attended Simmons
College, a small school in Boston, for
her first two years, she understood the
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frustration of attending large classes
and being taught mostly by Teaching
Assistants.
Another prominent concern of
students, Anne said, is the
teaching/research equation at the
University.
"A lot of people complain about the
research, (emphasis at the University)
although it's very important and
millions of people are affected by it."
She said every professor she's had at
this University has been "very good."
"I CAN'T imagine there being higher
quality (of professors) anywhere."
Although Anne said her father's new
position is bound to bring changes, she
does not plan to flaunt her relationship
with him.
"I used to tell everyone he was an
econ prof (during his vice-presidency);
sometimes I'd say he works in the ad-
ministration."
Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo in
1815. he had escaped from exile in Elba
and had marched for 100 days through
France gathering men and arms. The
Duke of Wellington met him on a
Brussels road with a mixed allied ar-
my. Fighting lasted all day until at dusk
the allied line advPnce4 and the French
disintegrated,