University cleans house

Out with the old and in with the new.\nThere have been no less than a dozen shifts in key administrative posts at IU within recent years. Whether spurred on by retirement, other interests or IU President Adam Herbert's restructuring, the University administration is currently undergoing its most radical face lift in more than a generation. Kelley School of Business Dean Dan Dalton's resignation last week brought the total number of open administrative leadership positions to seven (Jan. 22, IDS).\nOther positions currently being filled are the dean of faculties, director of the Kinsey Institute, dean of the School of Journalism and new leaders for the Indiana Memorial Union, IU Auditorium and the IU Press.\n The image-makers of IU have left. Bob Knight no longer reigns in Assembly Hall, and Myles Brand has become synonymous with the NCAA. Some might be discouraged by the loss of IU's top leaders, but we welcome fresh faces. New leaders bring new ideas and the enthusiasm to challenge archaic university principles without the backlash of alumni retaliation. Rather than some sort of identity crisis, these changes will only facilitate Herbert's plans for restructuring the administration.\n Not only is this radical administration revolution a healthy process, but it's also been long overdue.\n There is only so much change one person can handle in his career. As the University's mission continues to evolve, it will always seek new leaders to take it to the next step. The added issues of a new president further complicate the situation. We must continue to strive for progress and allow our new president to mold the University administration to his liking. \nHe has already received the resignation of IU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm as a part of restructuring.\nAside from presidential pressures, it has long been a complaint of many faculty members that IU's administration is growing at a disproportionate rate to the rest of the University. We have positions for eight vice presidents, chancellors on all eight campuses and more vice chancellors and deans than anyone can count. \nThe current situation, originally an experiment in administration productivity because of unexpected vacancies, has already proven fewer administrators can do just as good of a job running the University. Terry Clapacs, vice president and chief administrative officer is currently pulling double duty as athletic director. Surely, if Clapacs has time to do two jobs that pay in the top 10 of all University positions, we have more room for improvement.\nAs Herbert continues to settle into his new role, we encourage him to move forward with his plan for the University. There still is a lot of fat to be cut and a lot of work to be done. Many of those that are leaving did a commendable job, and we thank them for their service. Others, like the previous athletics director, failed miserably. Ultimately, change is necessary for any organization to continue to thrive.