Pulling water from the well

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to Sir Kenny G!\nIn the wake of hushed rumors and questions surrounding the future structure of Indiana University's upper management team, IU President Adam Herbert has opted for an old standard, time tested and manufacturer guaranteed: Kenneth Gros Louis has been selected to maintain the post of Chancellor Sharon Brehm. \nGros Louis, who held the position of IU-Bloomington Chancellor for 21 years before Brehm succeeded him in 2001, has long been considered an almost mythic figure by many who have lived through his leadership. A member of the Bloomington community since 1963, he brings not only years of experience and contacts, but it is as if he is a monument within himself, someone with whom Bloomington's image is almost synonymous. \nThe advantages Gros Louis brings are obvious, but what is noteworthy about this decision, eclipsed by his name, is his tenure. Gros Louis's position of "Interim" Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chancellor of the Bloomington Campus is slated to last roughly 18 months. Gros Louis' great comeback will actually only fall six months short of Brehm's entire stint in the position she inherited from him.\nGranted, compared to the breadth of Gros Louis' work, 18 months surely is nothing more than "interim," but for Bloomington, a temp like Gros Louis can be worth a basket full of two-year "official" tenures.\nFurther, it seems that Gros Louis' concept of a Chancellor's role is much more in line with Herbert's. While in the recent past, there seemed to be some conflict between how Herbert and Brehm felt they should do their jobs. Gros Louis seems to have a much more traditional sense of the Chancellor's job in mind, an academic focus that is very much in agreement with Herbert's vision.\nHowever, to add insult to perceived injury, in a press conference this Friday Herbert made note of the streamlining effect Louis would have on the president's agenda.\n"What this title would convey is that the senior vice president for academic affairs is the No. 2 officer in the University, and the academic mission has primacy over all the other portfolios in the University," he said.\nCan somebody say provost? We thought that you could.\nWhat stands to be the final comment to be made of this announcement, and hopefully the most moot, is that we urge Gros Louis to not take this as a post-retirement walk in the park. Having the opportunity to stay here at IU for more than a year, we hope that he will push new initiatives and programs with the vigor of an administrator planning on staying in the post for the long haul. \nWe don't say "good luck," we say "good journey"