As one presidential search (hopefully) ends with a new man moving into the White House, another smaller search begins here to fill the Gifford House. In this time of limbo, Tufts' left-leaning student body should put aside its liberal agenda and concentrate on the fundamental qualities this university seeks in its next president: an academic vision and outstanding fundraising skills. Unfortunately, at a recent forum with the chairman of the selection committee, students could not see past their social justice causes, covering the gamut of left-wing issues, and offering little useful guidance.
When Trustee Irwin Heller, chairman of the presidential selection committee, came to campus last week he asked students to list the qualities they value in a new president. The first person to speak requested a president with the same commitment to the environment as President John DiBiaggio. Others followed quickly expressing the desire that our future president embodies "socially responsible investing" and "community openness." These issues are serious, and hold merit for a college campus, but as criteria with which to evaluate presidential candidates, they are irrelevant and distracting to the search process.
Narrow political requests, stemming exclusively from what students see as the trendy left wing, are detrimental to the selection of a new leader. The same activists who request "socially responsible investing" - investments that coincide only with their political beliefs - are those who demand that Tufts be need-blind in admissions, adding to the "diversity of social classes at Tufts." But at this moment, it is a matter of money, not of belief, and without resources, need-blind admissions can't be a serious possibility, regardless of the beliefs of the new president.
Many similar requests further clouded the session. Students asked for a president with a commitment to the arts. Someone who would promote an open community. A president with academic vision. Someone from the business community. Someone young, but with a lot of fundraising experience. A president with a real commitment to collegiate sports. Someone who reflects the political views of the campus. The list generated by the twenty-five minute open session was surely more exhaustive than this summary, but few of the comments capitalized on what could possibly be their only opportunity to have a real impact on the search process. Students should have discussed broad programs that the new president could explore, or the importance of finding a president who is responsive to student needs in general. They did not.
Instead, those in attendance drafted a wide-ranging list of popular causes. It seemed that only Superman or Ralph Nader would suffice. Superman is the only person with the power and energy to accomplish all the demanded goals, and Nader is the only man in America with enough left-wing support to fundraise for them all. Superman might be neat, but Nader would quickly grow annoying.
Students must realize that the selection process for a new president should not be a sounding board for social action. That forum should be left for student lobbying efforts after a new leader is chosen. The issues raised at the meeting were serious ones. In choosing a president these are legitimate concerns, but Tufts must and will use more relevant criteria. Students lost sight of this, or perhaps didn't realize its validity; thus, few productive suggestions came from the session.
In truth, Tufts' new president should be concerned with only two goals: setting an academic course for the university and raising the necessary funds to implement Tufts' vision. Forget social causes or political beliefs. Raise money, try to improve Tufts ranking, and bring great academic programs to the university. Everything else will fall into place.
The new president must have the background to continue Tufts' vision as an educational institution that teaches primarily undergraduates, although he should recognize that graduate programs are vital to research opportunities. Presidents of lesser universities and deans of Ivy League schools fit this category well.
While academic vision is essential for setting direction, successful fundraising is integral for implementing improvements. Without money, the University simply can not enact those programs that students and faculty request. The hiring of more faculty to teach Spanish, or economics won't be possible. Nor will the construction of the new music building. Both require more cash than Tufts has on hand.
Former President Jean Mayer had tremendous vision in bringing a veterinary school and other programs to the University. However, he left a nearly insurmountable task for his successor, President DiBiaggio, who had to contend with the high price tag of the programs and the small size of Tufts' endowment. A president with a great social conscious and a wonderful sense of community, but no fundraising skills, simply will not serve Tufts' needs at this critical phase of development.
President DiBiaggio raised the endowment substantially during his tenure, but the next president must be able to reach even further in attempting to bring Tufts to the one billion dollar mark - where our competitors' bank accounts already stand. Tufts must keep pace with its benchmark institutions if it hopes to be successful in the future.
Choosing a new president for Tufts may not be simple, but the search can be narrowed down to a few primary qualities: Tufts needs a president who understands the virtues of small college life, big university opportunity, and who can fundraise with great success. Put aside all the stuff about a commitment to the arts, the environment, and to diversity training. Without the money and academic vision to sell to donors and prospective students (of all races, cultures, and religions), little improvement will occur.
