2 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, October 3, 2001

COLUMBIA S NEW PRESIDENT

Despite some recent problems,
most acul will miss Bollinger

By Whitney Elliott
and David Enders
Daily Staff Reporters
Despite recent tension between University faculty
and University President Lee Bollinger, many pro-
fessors who have seen a number of University presi-
dents agree the greenest grass has grown during
Bollinger's tenure.
"Bollinger has been an outstanding addition to the
University. He's been instrumental in getting the new
(Arthur Miller) theater built and bringing the Shake-
speare company here. He has also worked relentless-
ly for the Life Science Initiative," said Dentistry
Prof. Jack Gobetti.
Engineering Prof. Bruce Karnopp said Bollinger
has "got a lot of the right ideas," but expressed dis-
satisfaction with the way Bollinger acted while
Columbia courted him for its presidency.
"I think anytime there's a negotiation going on with
a new school, I think Michigan probably didn't get his
full attention - without a provost as well, it kind of
put us in a lurch," Karnopp said. "But what we learned
Bollinger built
new execurtive
board alone
By Elizabeth Kassab
Daily Staff Reporter

is that the University can run on inertia pretty, well. I
think it will survive."
Karnopp, who has been at the University 32 years,
compared Bollinger to other presidents.
"Each of these guys comes in at different times -
(Robben) Fleming came it at the most difficult time
because there was a lot of student unrest, he was a
good negotiator," Karnopp said. "Bollinger could have
made a pretty good name for himself here, but I think
he'll be a natural at Columbia."
He also said that Bollinger's background of teach-
ing at the University's Law School prior to becoming
provost of Dartmouth University added much to his
smooth-running administration.
"He came from the University before he went to
Dartmouth - he came back here knowing about the
University," Karnopp said.
Medicine and pharmacology Prof. Bill Ens-
minger said Bollinger has "run a tight ship - he's
the captain of the ship. It's clear that the buck
stops with him. He takes a reasoned approach to
things."
Gobetti said a great deal of his respect for

Bollinger's grasp on his position at the Universi-
ty lies in his teaching of an undergraduate First
Amendment course every fall.
"From my standpoint, how can you possibly relate to
faculty as an administrator if you aren't teaching?"
Gobetti asked. "He knows what it's like to grade tests
and prepare for lecture."
Ensminger said the tone of the president's position
changed considerably when Bollinger began his
presidential term in 1997.
"Clearly the institution is probably more harmo-
nious than it might have been in the past. The atmos-
phere is more a collegial atmosphere," Ensminger
said.
Gobetti agreed. He said that before Bollinger,
the University's inter and outer relations were in
"a great deal of turmoil. He mended all the
fences."
Karnopp did express that the University should
take caution in choosing its next leader.
"I think we'll be a bit apprehensive,"he said. "We
were kind of pleased because we thought he was going
to be here for a while after Harvard."

6
S

FILE PHOTO
When Michigan beat Penn State en route to its 1997 national championship,
Bollinger opened his home to students for a postgame celebration.
Postgame a
-me-morable event*

By Louie Meizlish
and Kara Wenzel
Daily Staff Reporters

In his five-year term as University president, Lee
Bollinger has restructured the administrative offices and
appointed new leaders to every executive position.
"He was a decided change from Jim Duderstadt," said
Walter Harrison, who served as the vice-president for Uni-
versity relations and secretary of the University under
Bollinger and his predecessor, James Duderstadt. Like Dud-
erstadt, Bollinger has "a very strong understanding of what
makes Michigan, Michigan."
"They both hired very talented people," said Harrison,
who is now president of the University of Hartford.
After Harrison left Ann Arbor for Hartford, Bollinger
divided his position into three separate offices in 1998 -
government relations, communications and the office of the
secretary.
In addition, the general counsel position was given more
authority and upgraded to an executive office in 1998.
"It gives legal counsel a much stronger voice," Harrison
said this spring. With the lawsuits challenging the University's
admissions policies, it was "vitally important to have a legal
counsel thinking about everything you're doing," he added.
Under Bollinger's watch, the Chief Financial Office was
restructured, and the University's endowment has grown
substantially.
"A billion dollars in five years ain't bad," Harrison said.
The University's more than $3 billion in endowments is one
of the highestaof any public institution in the nation, Harri
son said.
Bollinger also had the unique opportunity to appoint
every officer on the University's executive board.
"I think it's fairly unusual with as many vice presidents as
Michigan has" Harrison said.
"All of us executive officers are people that have come in
with him," Krislov said.
"He has assembled a team that is energetic, that works
well together and cares deeply about this University ... and
on the whole collaborates pretty well with each other," he
added.
Like Krislov, who came to the University in November
1998 after working for the U.S. Department of Labor, few
of Bollinger's appointees to executive offices had back-
ground in higher education, said former Vice President of
Student Affairs Maureen Hartford, now President of Mered-
ith College.
"I hope he will be remembered for bringing in and for
promoting committed people," Krislov said.
"I think he's going to be remembered as one of Michi-
gan's great presidents," Harrison said.

Business School graduate Brian
Hayden said that'as a new student on
campus, University President Lee
Bollinger went out of his way to make
Hayden feel welcome.
"When I was a freshman I felt
{! real lost here and. I set up an
appointment and he talked with me
for half an hour," Hayden said. "I
was really impressed with the guy,
just for no reason to meet up with
some freshman because he is feel-
ing uncomfortable. He is a pretty
busy man."
The announcement that Bollinger
was selected to become the next
president of Columbia University-
evoked mostly reactions of sadness
from students. Many were not sur-
prised at the announcement after
Bollinger was named as a finalist
for the presidency of Harvard Uni-
versity in March.
"I think that after being looked at by.
~ '" 'such a prestigious school, there was no
: . doubt other schools would follow suit"
said LSA senior Mike Hondorp. "I
think he's left a permanent mark on the
University. He's been known for his
sense of commitment to people, espe-
cially the students.:
"I didn't think it was going to
FILE PHOTO happen at first," said Engineering
University President Lee Bollinger at one of his fireside chats, which he held intermittently in the senior Chad Cariano. "He handled
Michigan Union during his tenure. things well after September I 1 and

felt it wal sort of a rebirth of his
presidency in giving back to his stu-
dents, and now it seems sort of iron-
ic that he would take off."
Tom Aronson, a 2001 University
graduate said he recalled the night
Bollinger welcomed students into his
house as football fans filled campus
streets to celebrate Michigan's 1997
victory over Penn State en route to the
national championship.
"I think the students all really like
Lee ever since he let everyone into his
house;Aronson said.
In contrast to Hayden and Aron-
son, SNRE junior Daniel Bair was
indifferent to Bollinger's impending
departure.
"I do not really see his job affecting
me that much," she said.
LSA junior Jun Takayasu said he was
"not so sure" about the effects of
Bollinger's leaving.
"In terms of the Life Sciences Initia-
tive you give credit to him, but he's not
as visible as I'd like him to be," Takaya-
su said.
LSA junior Hilary Robertson said
she is unhappy with the manner in
which Bollinger decidea to leave.
"I wouldn't like that he hasn't been
open and honest with it. If he's going
to ave or he's considering it I would
like him to say I'm considering it,' not
'I'm happy to be here,"' Robertson
said.
But Robertson added, "I guess he's
done a good job since I haven't heard
anything awful."

6

Bollinger reason for strong relationship with A2

By James Restivo
Daily Staff Reporter
Ingrid Sheldon, who served as mayor of Ann Arbor from
1993 until this past November, said she recalls the transition
from former University President James Duderstadt to cur-
rent President Lee Bollinger as a smooth one in terms of
cooperation between the University and the city.
"Each entity has its own goals it needs to follow and they
don't interface that often," Sheldon said. "And each person
has their own personality and goals."
Sheldon said interim President Homer Neal and his com-
mitment to communication greatly aided the transition.
"Homer Neal bridged the gap between Duderstadt and
the new president," Sheldon said. "He had a firm commit-
ment to ensure that both institutions worked together."
Sheldon added that Duderstadt had a commitment to a
physical plan, including facilities, while Bollinger looked at
learning and the environment differently.

"We always had a good relationship," Sheldon said.
"Bollinger took it to the next step to include the community
as part of the next forum. He made an effort to go out and
meet with the community."
Jim Kosteva, the University's director of community rela-
tions, said Bollinger's initiative to undertake a plan geared
towards the community helped improve already solid rela-
tions. "His initiative has provided an opportunity to have
more dialogue with the community of the intentions for
construction projects that weren't there for the previous
administration," Kosteva said.
The University and city have cooperated on a number of
"mutually beneficial" programs, the biggest being the reno-
vation of the Forest Street parking structure, Kosteva said.
"We've had a good recent history of shared projects
where the city and University cooperate," Kosteva said.
The new president will need to work with the city on
issues such as parking and the upcoming State Street Area
renovation.

State, representative Chris Kolb (D-Ann Arbor), a city
council member during the Duderstadt-Bollinger transition,
said that Bollinger was very "engaging;" and the relations
he helped create would be difficult to erase.
"The University is so engaged with the city and commu-
nity that it would make it hard to pull back - even with a
new administration," Kolb said.
Mayor John Hieftje said he plans to welcome the new
president, whoever it may be.
"We are very interested in forming a great relationship,"
Hieftje said. "We'll be there with a hand out to the new
president and a warm handshake."
City Administrator Neil Berlin shared Hieftje's senti-
ments and said the current relationship between the city and
the University was a very good one and sees no reason why
they wouldn't continue under a new president.
Of Bollinger leaving, Berlin said, "He lived in the com-
munity and was very committed to it. He had a sense of the
co'hnunity and his relations are reflected in that."

Despite tension over Code, MSA
considers Bollinger leaving a loss

By Carrie Thorson
and Kara Wenzel
Daily Staff Reporters
As one of the main links between students and admin-
istration, the Michigan Student Assembly met with Uni-
versity President Bollinger on a regular basis. Although
many assembly members expressed discontent with his
actions throughout his term, several feel his absence will
be a loss to the University.
"It's very, very disappointing that Bollinger is leaving,"
said MSA President Matt Nolan. "At the same time, I
understand his decision. I'm sure he'll be very happy with
Columbia and Columbia will be very happy with him.
He's been very receptive to student needs and very recep-
tive to me personally in the past six months. It's obvious-
ly a really big loss to lose such a big asset to the
University, but we're going to find a great replacement."
Many on MSA were critical of Bollinger for his treatment
of the assembly's revisions to the Code of Student Conduct,
now termed the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibili-
ties. By ignoring the major revisions presented by MSA, some
argued, Bollinger was ignoring the student voice on campus.
"He brushed off MSA's changes to the Code," former
Student General Counsel Alok Agrawal said this spring.
Student Rights Commission Co-Chair Michael Simon

cited the Students of Color Coalition's protest of Michiga-
mua last year as an example of Bollinger's inactivity.
"I was disappointed during the SCC sit-in when
Bollinger sat around and waited for public opinion to
quiet before he did anything," Simon said.
"We're disappointed to lose a gifted scholar and a great
civilitarian, but this is a great opportunity for those who
care about the statement of student rights and responsibil-
ities," he added.
Still, MSA Vice President Jessica Cash said she feels
Bollinger will be remembered for his academic contribu-
tions to the University, not for any scandal that may have
temporarily marred his administration.
"The Life Sciences Initiative," Cash said, "which will
undoubtably be his legacy, will place the university in the
spotlight, where we belong as the leaders and the best."
For two years the president actively participated in fire-
side chats set up by MSA's Communications Committee,
in which he meets with 20 randomly selected students for
90 minutes to field questions.
Representatives said they hold no grudge against
Bollinger for leaving.
"It's a tremendous gain for Columbia University," MSA
Treasurer Josh Samek said yesterday. "I'm very confident in
the fact that all the projects and programs Bollinger has
begun will be carried on by his successor."

60

FILE PHOTO
Bollinger leads the way during last year's Fun Run through Nichols Arboretum, a tradition he began in his first year as
University president. This year's Fun Run was canceled after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

KEY DATES DURING

BOLLINGER'S PRESIDENCY