Demands for new president

Last Thursday IU's board of trustees announced the appointment of Adam W. Herbert as the 17th president of IU. Herbert comes to the job with over 30 years of experience in higher education, most recently as the director of the Florida Center for Public Policy and Leadership, and his selection drew applause from the IU community and others throughout the state.\nWhat should we as IU students expect from our new president when he officially begins serving as president on Aug. 1? Considering all the other administrators -- trustees, deans, chancellors and so on -- involved in governing a massive university system, sometimes a university president might seem rather like the Queen of England, a figurehead lacking much true power. \n Yet no matter how much of the president's power is perceived as only symbolic, we expect Herbert to be a strong, visible and dynamic leader; to have a clear vision for the future of the University; to serve as the public face to represent IU well to the state, the nation and the world.\nFurthermore, a president can have an impact on the university in a very concrete way, through effective fundraising. It seems to be an unfortunate reality of the American higher education system that more money is always needed, and it's university presidents who often bear the responsibility of trying to satisfy this unquenchable thirst. In light of how much money we pay our presidents, perhaps it's only fair to expect them to bring in some money in return. \nIt's heartening that Herbert seems to recognize this reality, saying in the press conference when accepting the presidency that he understands "the importance of securing the essential funding that such teaching research and excellence demands." Herbert has also pledged to fight for funding from the state, which could help stave off the tuition hikes that accompany budget cuts all too frequently. His record seems to confirm his commitment: during his tenure as chancellor in Florida, public universities enjoyed significant funding increases.\nThe president can demonstrate his interest in the students not only through attention to dollars and cents, but by striving to forge a strong connection with the student body. Herbert's model in this regard might be legendary past president Herman B Wells, who signed the diploma of every graduate and walked around campus to chat casually with students. Herbert has said that he "cares deeply about students," and his wife, Karen, has promised "You will see us on campus." Let's hope they follow through.\nThe University faculty also deserve attention and respect from the president. Here again Wells stands as an exemplar, cementing his reputation as a champion of academic freedom with his defense of Alfred Kinsey's sex institute. Herbert has already expressed verbal support for the faculty, saying that he recognizes "the centrality of outstanding teaching and cutting-edge research to the mission of a premier University such as this," and we'll have to see if he backs up these words with his actions. \nIndeed, only time will tell whether Herbert's job performance in any of these areas will measure up to our expectations: if he will develop strong relationships with students and faculty, if he will bolster the University's financial situation, if he will be a strong leader with vision and charisma.\nAnd, of course, surely we're all dying to know what he thinks about basketball.\n-- Anna Dittmer for the Editorial Board