Chodorow stressed by hectic first week

Provost Stanley Chodorow said he has spent his first two weeks in office learning about his job -- and adjusting to an overwhelming workload. "My desk is covered to a depth of three feet," he said. "I've been thinking about taking a degree in archaeology in order to deal with this mess -- there's so much to learn, it's enough to give me a nervous breakdown." But Chodorow said that he is confident that he will be able to succeed in his new position. "First official activities are always stressful," he said. "As I get through things I realize that I'm smart enough, and that I have enough experience." Chodorow said he has been meeting with Rodin and other officials on a frequent basis since July 1 to learn about the challenges the administration is currently facing -- and to get a better sense of what his job as provost entails. "We've had regular meetings trying to sort out what issues need to be dealt with," he said. "None of the issues have changed -- administrative structures and undergraduate education [are examples]." Although Chodorow said in an interview earlier this month that the "size of the bureaucracy" at the University was a challenge he faces as provost, he said he was particularly surprised during his first days in office to realize the complexity of the administrative structure. "I was surprised at the layering of institution -- there's the student organizations, the Faculty Senate, the University Council and the University administration level," he said. "When you look at this institution it looks like layers on a computer when you overlay them, and when you see through, it's very complicated, as I'm getting to know as I begin to sort those images out." Chodorow added, though, that he was not yet sure if all of the "layers" of the University's makeup actually pose a problem. "But I wish there wasn't as much of it," he said. "I'd just like to enunciate the principal that it isn't really a lot better for 10 intelligent people to work on a problem than five intelligent people to work on a problem." Chodorow said he thinks the complexity of the University stems from "a problem of trust." "The people here in this organization are sure that this committee is working on that problem," he said. "But [they are] going to organize things [their] own it." Executive Assistant to the Provost Linda Koons said she has a very favorable opinion of Chodorow after working with him the past two weeks. "He's very interesting man," she said. "He has a wonderful sense of humor, he's very quick and you can tell from the kinds of questions he asks."