Provost contends for top jobs at UC, Mich.

New York, N.Y. Twice this year, the University almost lost its top academic official to other schools, as Provost Stanley Chodorow contended for the top jobs at the University of Michigan and the University of California at Los Angeles. In October, the University of Michigan Board of Regents named Chodorow one of four finalists to replace former outgoing President James Duderstadt. The search process was open to the public after several Michigan newspapers filed suit to ensure access to the proceedings, claiming that closed meetings would violate state "sunshine" laws mandating public access to activities by government agencies. Because Michigan is a public university, a judge ruled the law applied to the school. Chodorow went to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he sat for hours of interviews with the school's Regents, faculty and students. Afterwards, Michigan officials praised the provost's performance. "This guy is able to express articulately many of the things that resonate in this community," said Michigan Faculty Senate Chairperson Thomas Dunn. In the end, however, the Michigan Regents chose Dartmouth College Provost Lee Bollinger for the job. Bollinger had served as dean of the Michigan Law School for seven years, leaving in 1994 to assume his post at Dartmouth. Chodorow said he thought he had impressed people at Michigan, but stressed that he wasn't disappointed by the choice or the process. "It's like writing a paper," he said of the interviews. "You may feel good about it, but you don't really get to assess it a grade." Later in the school year, Chodorow was a finalist in the search for a new chancellor for UCLA, the largest school in the California system, and interviewed for the job. Unlike the Michigan search, the UCLA process was closed to the public. UC President Richard Atkinson was free to select any candidate he chose to present to the Board of Regents for approval, though a search committee did make recommendations. News reports in The Los Angeles Times, UCLA's Daily Bruin and the Sacramento Bee had indicated that Chodorow was a top contender for the position, along with Harvard Provost Albert Carnesale. UCLA Medical School Dean Gerald Levey and UCLA Law School Dean Susan Prager were also considered for the job. Chodorow served as a dean at UC-San Diego when Atkinson was that school's chancellor, and the two stayed close even after they both had left UCSD. Some members of the search committee placed Chodorow higher than Carnesale in their assessments, voicing some doubt over Carnesale's ability to manage UCLA's large campus. Professors at UCLA were also under the impression Chodorow was the top contender. Professor Frank Jones said he heard that Chodorow had already been offered and accepted the position before any announcement was made. "Everyone I've talked to that knows this man says he's almost Jesus," Jones added. "I mean he's kind, he really cares about undergraduates? what kind of better qualities could you want in a chancellor?" Atkinson chose Carnesale over Chodorow, however, after a set of all-day interviews in Berkeley, Calif. The Regents accepted his nomination and made the appointment. Carnesale, 60, is a former dean of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and a professor of Public Policy and Administration. He serves as a consultant for the federal government and civilian organizations in the areas of defense, intelligence, international affairs, nuclear arms and energy. Though Chodorow had declined to comment on the UCLA search -- or even confirm that he was involved -- while it was ongoing, he later admitted that he had spoken with the search committee about the job. He added, however, that he is proud to be working at Penn and is not looking for another position elsewhere. Several other administrators said it was likely that both Michigan and UCLA had approached Chodorow on their own initiative because he is known throughout academia. The provost seemed to agree. "I am neither looking for a position at another university nor do I apply for jobs," Chodorow said. "As Penn's provost, I occupy a prominent position in higher education, and schools looking for presidents do call." Chodorow added that he agreed to talk with officials at UCLA and Michigan since both are "institutions of such distinction." Penn administrators said they were pleased that Chodorow would not be leaving. "We need the Provost's leadership as much as ever on the critical academic priorities of Penn's Agenda for Excellence, and we look forward to that continuing leadership," said University President Judith Rodin. Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said the other schools' interest in Chodorow reflected well on Penn. "I think it is a remarkable compliment that two of the finest institutions in the world have expressed interest in our provost," Moneta said. "I think whether he is actively seeking or not, it's the nature of higher education that the best people become candidates for the most significant positions." College junior Ari Silverman, chairperson of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, had said although he is shocked that UCLA did not pick Chodorow for its presidency, "UCLA's loss is Penn's gain." "I am very happy -- ecstatic -- that the provost will be remaining with us," Silverman said. "He has really developed his willingness to work with students, and I think to lose him at this time would really be to our detriment."