With months left, Brand not a 'lame duck'

With two and a half months left before IU President Myles Brand leaves, University officials aren't worried about the "lame duck" effect. \nTrustee Peter Obremskey said it's still business as usual for IU. He doesn't expect Brand to slow down.\n"Knowing the person he is, I would expect Myles to keep the pedal to the metal," Obremskey said.\nThe phrase "lame duck" is used to describe presidents who are serving the remainder of a final term in office. Before they leave, "lame ducks" often become weak and ineffective.\nBrand said that won't happen to him.\n"I will be at IU until Dec. 31, working hard on the job until the last minute," he said.\nTrustee Stephen Backer said Brand's announcement won't disrupt IU's agenda. In addition to finding Brand's replacement, the University is committed to the search for a chancellor for IUPUI and to push forward with the life sciences initiative, he said.\n"The University is like a giant super tanker. It takes a lot to get it to change direction," Backer said. "There's a lot going on right now, and things will continue."\nHe said Brand's agenda will go on.\n"He has a good staff, and he's done a good job laying a foundation," Backer said. "Will it make things more difficult to get done? I don't think so."\nBrand knows the next two months will be especially tough, said IU spokesman Bill Stephan. He doesn't want the news of his sudden departure to overshadow the University's mission. \n"There's a certain element about being a lame duck he recognizes," Stephan said. "He recognizes once you make that announcement, you don't have the effectiveness and ability to forge ahead as you might otherwise.\n"He is confident the faculty and administration will continue to look after the institution," Stephan said.\nBrand's final task as president will be preparing IU for the upcoming legislative session, Stephan said.\n"Knowing him and his work ethic, I don't think he'll slow down at all," Stephan said. "He feels good about this decision. He has done his best for IU in charting a course." \nStephan said he "would be surprised" if the search for Brand's successor interferes with the search for a replacement for IUPUI Chancellor Gerald L. Bepko.