The search committee for Tufts' next provost is working to narrow down its pool of candidates with the goal of selecting one of them by the end of the semester. Amidst this process, faculty say that good leadership skills are the most important quality to look for in applicants, though many individual members would like to bring in someone who will diversify Ballou.
Most professors say it does not matter whether the new provost, who will take over after Sol Gittleman steps down at the end of this semester, is chosen from within Tufts. Some say it would be refreshing to bring an outside perspective to Ballou, but internal candidates have an advantage in that they are familiar with the people, policies, and character of the University.
James Schmolze, chair of the electrical engineering and computer science department, said that an outsider is needed to carry out the "ambitious goals" that President Bacow set when he came to Tufts.
"Tufts has to be creative in running itself. An 'insider' will have more difficulty leading this transition than an 'outsider,'" he said.
Though much administrative reshuffling has taken place this year, all of it has remained internal with the exception of the new president. Susan Ernst and Ioannis Miaoulis, both moved up in the University's ranks last semester, were both professors and deans. English professor Kevin Dunn has been appointed the new dean of academic affairs for arts and sciences. Psychology Professor Robin Kanarek was recently selected to serve as dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Across campus in Dowling Hall, two of the top three deans were chosen from within Tufts. Dean of the Colleges Charles Inouye started as - and remains - a professor of Japanese, and Dean of Students Bruce Reitman graduated from Tufts and worked in the administration for many years before a search committee named him to his post. Dean of Academic Affairs and Student Services Kristine Dillon is the only one of the three to have come from outside the University.
But many professors say that a candidate's background is much more important than where he or she comes from. Professors stressed that the new provost be an academic, but that his or her particular field of expertise does not matter.
"I'm more concerned about the qualities of the individual," economics professor David Garman said. "A provost who sees herself as representing any particular set of academic disciplines is likely to fail at a school as complex as Tufts. She must be open to perspectives that range from arts to veterinary science."
Given the demands of the job, other professors say it is important for the next provost to have interdisciplinary interests. "We need someone who is capable of working with very disparate constituencies, considering the large number of schools we have with different needs," geology professor Anne Gardulski said.
"Tufts is very strong in its interdisciplinary programs," said Paul Joseph, professor of sociology and director of the Peace and Justice Studies program. "I would like to see a provost who recognizes that aspect of contemporary university life."
Along these lines, some faculty see Gittleman's departure as a chance to diversify what they say is a relatively homogenous group of administrators. While Tufts has made strides to improve the racial and ethnic diversity of the student body, some professors feel that such efforts have not been made within the administration, faculty, and curriculum.
"I would hope that the president would give serious consideration to the issue of Ballou being basically a Caucasian stronghold with no people of color in the upper echelons of the administrations," German and Swahili professor Daniel Brown said.
"It's most important for the new provost to have a clear sense of vision and commitment to diversity at Tufts and to be able to join the president in leadership on that," English professor Elizabeth Ammons said. "Given the lack of diversity in the current administration, it also seems important to me that Tufts seek and hire a provost who is a person of color."
While these professors say diversity issues were never specifically under the domain of the provost in the past, they think they should be high on the new provost's priority list. Others say a commitment to diversity is important but can come from a person of any background.
Professor Leila Fawaz, the former dean of arts and humanities who now directs the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, would like to see a provost committed to "diversity of origin and diversity of color." She stressed that the new provost should focus on increasing minority representation in the leadership of faculty committees.
Both Ammons and Brown say that in order to make changes in the diversity of the administration, it is necessary that the new provost come from outside the University. "I think we gain expertise and a broader set of ideas about how to do things if someone can come from elsewhere," Ammons said.
Others, like department of drama and dance chair Barbara Grossman, would like to see a female provost. "I hope she'll be fantastic," she said.
Grossman also stressed that the new provost be someone who "respects Tufts as a University, and has a vision for Tufts that will be harmonious with the president."
One thing all faculty agree on is that the new provost should have an extensive background in teaching. Gittleman has taught courses throughout his career as provost, and faculty say they respect a provost who understands the classroom issues professors encounter on a daily basis.
Most also say that certain personal qualities, such as good listening skills, an open-minded perspective, high energy, the ability to work well with the president, and the ability to inspire all members of the Tufts community, are important in a provost.
Fawaz said that a provost needs to exercise leadership skills that will bring the schools together while giving them the space to blossom on their own.
Biology professor Harry Bernheim thinks the new provost should be able to "transcend their own education experience. You have to have extremely good interpersonal skills and intelligence," he said.
