Spring Break
Editorial: Things to keep in mind
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Editorial/Opinion
04/02/09 - The Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education announced the three finalists in the running for university president Tuesday, and the race is on for the coveted spot.
Looking at the candidates' profiles, it's evident that each brings a unique mixture of talents and experience to the forefront. But looking even more closely at their resumes, it's hard not to notice a certain trend - they are all research-driven professionals.
Two of the three have strong scientific backgrounds and one has a humanities background.
It's evident from the surge in attention the University of Rhode Island has recently received for research-based projects that the university is looking to up the ante on its "scientific vibe." Having a scientific researcher at the helm would help make the transformation complete.
But while this experiment might drag in some extra revenue and some good publicity, the RIBGHE also has to consider that URI is more than just the Colleges of Environmental and Life Sciences and Pharmacy.
It's imperative the university meets the obligations of the scientific community by further propelling its research, but it's equally important to educate young men and women in art, history, writing and education.
In other words, the RIBGHE should realize that discarding the candidate with the humanities background simply because he is labeled as a social scientist, rather than one with a strong background in physical sciences, would be detrimental to the future of the university.
RIBGHE Chair Frank Caprio was right - URI is the "state's flagship university," so whomever leads the way must be able to have a deep understanding of the large variety of majors and minors offered.
The university's branding initiative is all about thinking big, but let's not forget the "small" either. In its time of economic need, when state aid has decreased at such a rate, the university cannot afford to lose many of the programs that separate it from other higher education institutions, letting "the other majors" fall through the cracks.
Though nothing has been hinted at regarding which candidate might be at the top of the list, the Board should keep these things in mind: It is not only choosing a successor, but it's also choosing the face of the university. It's choosing a teacher that can make his or her message clear to administrators, faculty, students and the state of Rhode Island.
And ultimately, it's choosing the fate of URI.
Looking at the candidates' profiles, it's evident that each brings a unique mixture of talents and experience to the forefront. But looking even more closely at their resumes, it's hard not to notice a certain trend - they are all research-driven professionals.
Two of the three have strong scientific backgrounds and one has a humanities background.
It's evident from the surge in attention the University of Rhode Island has recently received for research-based projects that the university is looking to up the ante on its "scientific vibe." Having a scientific researcher at the helm would help make the transformation complete.
But while this experiment might drag in some extra revenue and some good publicity, the RIBGHE also has to consider that URI is more than just the Colleges of Environmental and Life Sciences and Pharmacy.
It's imperative the university meets the obligations of the scientific community by further propelling its research, but it's equally important to educate young men and women in art, history, writing and education.
In other words, the RIBGHE should realize that discarding the candidate with the humanities background simply because he is labeled as a social scientist, rather than one with a strong background in physical sciences, would be detrimental to the future of the university.
RIBGHE Chair Frank Caprio was right - URI is the "state's flagship university," so whomever leads the way must be able to have a deep understanding of the large variety of majors and minors offered.
The university's branding initiative is all about thinking big, but let's not forget the "small" either. In its time of economic need, when state aid has decreased at such a rate, the university cannot afford to lose many of the programs that separate it from other higher education institutions, letting "the other majors" fall through the cracks.
Though nothing has been hinted at regarding which candidate might be at the top of the list, the Board should keep these things in mind: It is not only choosing a successor, but it's also choosing the face of the university. It's choosing a teacher that can make his or her message clear to administrators, faculty, students and the state of Rhode Island.
And ultimately, it's choosing the fate of URI.
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