NEW ANALYSIS: Few Hackney-era administrators remain with Rodin

Many of the administrative transitions haveMany of the administrative transitions havebeen in the Office of the Provost In the three years since former University President Sheldon Hackney left office, the administration has undergone an almost complete transformation. Former Vice Provost Kim Morrisson's departure from the Office of the Provost last week leaves very few top-ranking administrators who were at the University during Hackney's tenure. Most of the changes have been concentrated in the Office of the Provost -- especially within the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life -- and the Office of the President. But this rapid transformation is not necessarily out of the ordinary. "It's not anything to remark about," Hackney said last night. "There's a natural tendency for people who have served under one regime to think it might be time for them to seek other chances." Hackney, who now chairs the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C., said that when his administration took over in 1980, many officials from the previous administration left their posts. "But it's not that I was chasing people out," he added. "They just drifted away and left." Provost Stanley Chodorow said this administration's situation is no different. "Neither the president nor I decided or sought to replace the people who served the Hackney administration," he said. "In every case I can think of, the people who have left either felt that it was a good time to move on or were in positions that were changed significantly." University President Judith Rodin admitted that many administrators with long experience at the University have left office. But she said there are two ways to look at the transitions. "People can be viewed as experienced or as tired," she said. "Many of the new people have brought fresh perspectives and fresh ideas. I don't think there's a downside to that." Rodin called the transition between administrations a natural time for long-term officials to leave their posts. But she and Chodorow took advantage of the natural turnover to search for "outstanding candidates" and fill vacancies with the best people possible, she said. Within the Office of the President, several vice presidents, as well as members of the staff, have been replaced since Rodin's inauguration. The new executive vice president is John Fry, who headed the Coopers and Lybrand team that evaluated the University's administrative structure last year and recommended changes to reduce costs. He replaced former Executive Vice President Janet Hale, who resigned during the interim period between the Hackney and Rodin administrations. Clint Davidson has been named to replace former Vice President for Human Resources William Holland, but until the Board of Trustees approves his nomination, he will not officially take office. Rodin's chief of staff is Stephen Schutt, replacing Linda Hyatt, who served as executive director of the president's office under Hackney. And next week, former Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Thomas Seamon will become managing director of the Department of Public Safety, replacing University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich as head of the University's law enforcement services. Chodorow's office has also undergone changes in major positions. Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum's appointment as permanent VPUL ended a vacancy left over from the Hackney administration, when Morrisson resigned as VPUL. Within the department of University Life, former Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Tricia Phaup left her post over the summer, as did former Judicial Inquiry Officer Steven Blum. Law and Economics Professor Michael Wachter replaced Walter Wales as deputy provost, who resumed his teaching duties in the Physics department. And searches are now underway for a new vice provost for research and a new chaplain. Rodin said she did not know whether the remaining veterans of the Hackney administration would remain at the University. "I don't have a crystal ball," she said. "But I think we've filled the major positions. Nobody has shared with me their plans to leave so at this point I expect the team to be around for some time."