Jul 06, 2008 - 04:05:49 CDT
Tuesday was the first day on the job for Robert Kelley, the University of North Dakota's 11th president. UND is a first-class educational institution. Its economic impact is more than $1 billion, with more than $100 million in research and sponsored activities. It is a nationally ranked doctoral-granting research institution. It has accredited schools in law and medicine-health sciences.In more simple terms, it is a state treasure that we, the people, demand be highly valued and protected. We are glad Kelley is on the job and we welcome him and his family to the state and university.
He will undoubtedly be getting advice from many quarters on many subjects. Our advice is this: It is best to ease into the position as a good listener. But while listening is critical to moving the university forward, so is strong leadership, including swift action when necessary, voiced loudly and clearly on issues of importance and concern to the people of the state.
Charles Kupchella, UND's 10th president, has retired. He accomplished many objectives and advanced the university. But he also has been criticized of late, rightly so, for waffling on some issues, possibly even coming across as placating, overly accommodating, passive and not seriously addressing some major concerns.
Take, for instance, the Fighting Sioux nickname and mascot controversy. Days before his July 1 retirement, he said he considered the nickname an issue for healthy debate.
The Fighting Sioux nickname and mascot controversy has not received effective leadership or decision-making. If it had, the issue would have been resolved years ago, and certainly not left for a new president. The issue has not been a healthy debate, but rather divisive. Kelley would be well-served if he pushed for a formal and final resolution within months, not years. That would allow UND and those in favor of, or against, the name to move forward and focus more on matters of greater significance.
If delay continues it will continue to breed contempt and a lack of trust.
Make a decision - one way or the other.
Then there are the recent hate-based incidents at UND. The university has been criticized for improper reaction and handling of several swastikas on campus. Critics claim administrators were too slow to react to the drawings and alleged racial slurs and other harassment of a Jewish student.
A video also recently circulated about UND and North Dakota State University, including comical portrayals of Adolf Hitler, and a UND sorority was punished by being placed on probation after an "Indian-themed" party.
These are not the kind of activities that are allowed to fester at nationally recognized universities. Yes, they can happen anywhere. But university image can tarnish ever so quickly without timely and clearly sincere responses.
We hope the 11th president of UND models a focused leadership on all fronts, not allowing distractions to color the university's image.
Wow wrote on Jul 6, 2008 10:28 AM:
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