University President Amy Gutmann tackles student's questions on sororities, Penn's alcohol policy and the challenges of her job.
College sophomore Janet Comenos: What's your favorite book?
Amy Gutmann: Jane Austen's Persuasion. I read it in high school. Anne Elliot is a wonderful protagonist. ... It shows that you can write a great short novel that is lasting in its significance. It appeals to me as much today as it did when I read it in high school. I read Persuasion before I read any other Jane Austen [book]. I always like to do the road not taken. Everyone knew about Pride and Prejudice. I thought, "I'll read Persuasion." College junior Sara Gorman: Do you think that post-graduation advising caters disproportionately to people to people who are looking for jobs?
AG: Career Services advises graduates looking for jobs and also graduates considering professional school and graduate school. They spend quite a bit of time on counseling for graduate and professional jobs. And Career Services isn't the only place where our students can get career advice.
Wharton senior Ruchi Pinto: Were you in a sorority as an undergrad?
AG: I wasn't in a sorority because there were no sororities at Radcliffe. I don't know whether I would have been.
College senior Jennifer Neilan: How do you deal with being a mother and a prominent professional?
AG: I have always thought that it was important for me to do both, and I have managed to do both. I do both by making sure that I spend some significant time both as a mother and as a professional. ... Good time management helps, and commitment is essential and loving both roles is essential. I wouldn't sacrifice being a mother to being anything, but neither would I sacrifice what I can do as a professional. You've got to keep moving, you've got to stay active. They're both demanding.
College freshman Cecilia Vogel: What's the first thing you would want people to know about you?
AG: Education has been an absolutely central to my life and identity. Both being educated and being an educator are critical to who I am.
College senior Willow Gross: Why does the University send mixed messages on its alcohol policy between students and student groups?
AG: We send two different but compatible messages about alcohol. One message is an institutional message to groups that ... we do not want excessive alcohol served to our students. The second message is to individual students, and that is, if you are in trouble, seek help and we will not punish you for it. Those two messages are compatible because we want to make sure that individuals who are in trouble do not hesitate to get help.
Willow Gross: What does the president actually do?
AG: The president of Penn has three major roles as a leader. One: A leader as scholar-educator. Two: A CEO of a very large financial institution. Three: A community leader. ... Put them together and you can explain what the presidency of Penn is.
-- Mara Gordon
