EDITORIAL: How Not To Run a University

Provost Chodorow's decisionProvost Chodorow's decisionto strike down the proposedProvost Chodorow's decisionto strike down the proposedchanges to the University'sProvost Chodorow's decisionto strike down the proposedchanges to the University'scalendar ignored the opinionsProvost Chodorow's decisionto strike down the proposedchanges to the University'scalendar ignored the opinionsof students, the Faculty SenateProvost Chodorow's decisionto strike down the proposedchanges to the University'scalendar ignored the opinionsof students, the Faculty Senateand the University CouncilProvost Chodorow's decisionto strike down the proposedchanges to the University'scalendar ignored the opinionsof students, the Faculty Senateand the University Council_________________________________ He pledged to listen to students and faculty in an effort to revitalize the jaded and often neglected undergraduates of the University. Since then, however, his interactions with students have ranged from questionable to worrisome. Last month, he called into question the role of students in undergraduate reform, saying students weren't "the best organized people in the world" and affirming that sometimes "they really can't [be involved]." Now he's gone a step further. We question the move not because we are in favor of the proposal to extend reading days, but rather because we are dissatisfied with the way the decision was made. He nixed the proposal -- which was endorsed by the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, the Faculty Senate and the University Council -- after citing "overwhelming" faculty opposition. We can't help but wonder how the faculty could be "overwhelmingly opposed" to the plan, when their representative body -- the Faculty Senate -- approved it. While the undergraduate deans' points may have had some validity, their concerns should have been brought up and addressed in the earlier forum. But we are also concerned with Chodorow's attitude towards SCUE and Council. While their proposals and resolutions are by no means binding, these bodies provide an important voice for students and administrators. Past provosts and presidents alike have placed much trust in these groups -- but Chodorow has decided to discount their opinions. It appears the Provost is determined to make his own decisions when it comes to running this institution. This university, on the other hand, has always believed in consensual decision-making -- consulting all parties involved before choosing a course of action. Chodorow's clear sense of what he wants is commendable, and distinguishes him from many of this University's previous administrators. However, we take issue with his circumventing of both the representative bodies and the undergraduates he is supposed to serve. This is not necessarily duplicitous or bad -- but such apparent disinterest in students' interests cannot bode well.

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