Yale Daily News

I doubt he would leave his teaching and research, but I think Scott Strobel (current chair of MB&B) would make an excellent provost.

Well written, Tom. I think that you make a very insightful point in mentioning that Levin usually picks Provosts fairly quickly; however, I think that you didn't really connect all of the dots. I think Levin has already chosen Dean Salovey (much to the chagrin of Yale undergraduates) to serve as the next Provost, but the reason the appointment announcement is taking so long is because he has to find a suitable replacement for Salovey as Dean of Yale College. Last time Levin had to make multiple appointments in an administrative shuffle, he made them at the same time. I should also note that Salovey would be the ideal candidate to be the next President: well liked by students, respected by colleagues, and he understands the university (he's a member of the psychology, management, and public health faculties). Even if Salovey isn't appointed Provost, he'll be the next President.

Judith Krauss for President!

Levin should resign himself. He is a liability to the University with his inability to control his mouth and insult prolife students. He insulted 50% of the students and alumns with his comments about abortion funding.

Go Salovey!!

that is a sick joke #3

What are you talking about #4? Sure, Levin may have made a dumb comment about abortion (i.e. if it wasn't a misquotation in the first place) but he has done great things for the university. His ability to find executive managers is unparalleled and he has maintained Yale's reputation as an elite university -- perhaps even significantly improving its reputation -- at a time when Yale could have potentially fallen very, very far.

Why doesn't Yale look to the Medical School for the next Provost? There are actually scientists there, too.

Dick Brodhead should one day be Yale's president. Given the revolving door in the Provost's Office, we seem at least one or two provosts away from 2011. Brodhead is reaching a level of tenure at Duke after which it would be acceptable to leave, taking over for Levin in 2011.

Anyone?

I see white males arent underrepresented in the 'search' lol

bring in larry summers plz.

#9: Dick Brodhead was a terrific dean at Yale but get real: he'll be 65 in 2011. I believe he's the same age as Rick Levin.

#8 (from someone who has seen both sides) - because the culture of science in the medical school can be quite different than that found on science hill. Furthermore, scientists in the medical school are typically far removed from the day to day of undergraduates. I suspect these factors make med school faculty a bit less attractive as candidates.

On the other hand, Susan Hockfield was from the medical school. But she ascended to the position after being the dean of the graduate school which tied her more closely to main campus.

Hey #7, Yale will always have excellent reputation as long as the funding continues. With Levin continuing to alienate people with his words, funding is likely to decrease from alumni and friends. He should resign before doing further harm to the University.

I agree, Brodhead for President!

#4/14 needs to take his irrational hatred of Rick Levin somewhere else. I guess there's a weirdo on every board.

#4/14 is in some alternate universe. Rick Levin has been an outstanding President for Yale. Not sure what world he/she is looking at.

Levin has alienated many students, staff members, alums, and friends of the university by making a comparison between prolifers and wahabis in Saudi Arabia. Such remarks are inappropriate for someone representing Yale. These remarks show that the emperor really has no clothes. It is time for a change.

There are several people at other universities who are excellent scientists, strong (and experienced) administrators, young and student-centered. They are all doing great things at their home institutions and are on everyone's radar screens for Provost and Presidential searches. If Levin is seriously focused on building the sciences, and finds the internal pool of such individuals slim...he should look outside Yale. The following come to mind: Marc Kastner (Dean, MIT), Benedict Gross (Former Dean, Harvard), Ann Arvin (Dean, Stanford), Santa Ono (Deputy Provost, Emory), Keith Moffat (Vice-Provost Chicago), Steve Mayo (Vice-Provost Caltech), Adam Falk (Dean, Johns Hopkins), David Page (Director, Whitehead Institute).

# 10 is correct...Levin has a fine record of choosing women Provosts and Vice Presidents and in supporting their development into positions elsewhere. He has, however, failed to appoint any ethnic minority to this post or any other substantive administrative post within the university. Where are the African-American, Hispanic or Asian members of his administration? This is remarkable in the 21st century.

Hey, Yale Grad. There are smudges on every administration, and in every case one must determine if the pros outweigh the cons.

Given that our endowment is rising faster than any other in the country, the colleges are nearly through an amazing renovation cycle and the best finaid program in the country is soon to be implemented, I don't give a damn if Levin pissed a few people off with a misplaced comment on abortion. Yale hasn't been this fantastic in at least 40 years, so you clearly have a more personal grudge- look at the big picture.

What about Dean Gentry?

Judith Krauss for Provost!!! Not because she would be good, just please get rid of her as Silliman Master before my senior year.

Dean Gentry is a fine Dean of Student Affairs but he is not at the first tier of administrative appointments - Provost or Vice President or Dean of a school or faculty. It has now been several years since the absence of ethnic minorities in Yale's senior administration was noted in the Yale Alumni Magazine. It is disappointing that Levin has not sought to correct this at Yale where our peer institutions have appointed ethnic minorities as President or members of the President's cabinet. The "lack of a pipeline" argument no longer holds water.

Yale Undergrad,

Why should Levin get all the credit for fund raising? Fund raisng is successful because of the hard work of many other people on campus and the goodwill that the University has gained over the years. With Levin's message that prolifers are terrorists, the goodwill that the University has gained has been compromised. We need someone with better judgment than that at the top.

@#24: Read Rich Levin's Martin Luther King Day eMail. He announced an effort to bolster minority hiring in administrative jobs.

http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/23048

@#25: Maybe you should have just saved us all the trouble and gone to Liberty U.

DICK BrodHEAD would be a horrible choice to succeed President Levin. The broadHEAD would undo all the good that Levin has achieved, and that would be a shame. Having gotten rid of Dick was the best thing that ever happened to Yale. Charming, yes -- as any slickster is with a glib and forked tongue -- but

with his head stuck way up the 19th century, he wouldn't be able to keep up with anything science related and I hope his brand of racism is no longer welcomed.

#26, It is important to look at the issue from an historical perspective, not a snapshot of the past few months. Yes, we are all aware of this year's email from Levin. But why has it taken so long for this email to emerge, when the lack of ethnic minorities in his administration was noted formally in the Yale Alumni Magazine 5 years ago? It is also unfortunate that the email followed the racial incidents earlier this year on campus. This gives the appearance that Levin's push is reactive to those incidents and not proactive with respect to a problem identified many years ago. If an institution is truely committed to diversity and its benefits, this should be reflected both in the student body and in its central administration. Surely Yale in 2008 can take this small step - however late it is compared to our peers.

Yes, you are right, at least he is making the push now. Let's see if anything happens. There is no dearth of people to choose from. He might need to look outside Yale, however, as the pipeline is elsewhere.

If Yale is committed to "diversity" rather than excellence it's time to put up the sign "White Men Need Not Apply". It's also time to deal with the "problem" of Too Many Jews.

As if there is incompatibility between diversity and excellence, or that excellence is only manifest in white men. Yes white men should continue to apply for these positions and should continue to be selected. Excellent minority candidates should also be identified, encouraged to apply and on occasion selected.

This is how women broke into the field of higher ed. administration only 30 years ago. Levin's key role in identifying and mentoring excellent women to presidencies across academe is one of his major accomplishments and will be an enduring legacy. Yale can be proud that it has served as a national example for gender equality in higher ed administration. There is no reason he cannot do the same for qualified ethnic minority candidates. I am optimistic that he will do so.

In Levin's world, it seems that only whites with liberal views are encouraged to apply. Orthodox Jews with conservative beliefs are not accommodated. Prolife groups are labeled as wahabi terrorists. There must be diversity of thought as well as diversity in race and gender. Otherwise, Yale fails in its educational mandate and becomes another liberal idealist training institution.

Over 40% of Yale University's annual budget goes to the Medical School. There are some great scientists who also serve in administrative/management capacities at YSM. The new provost will have the huge task of "filling" West Campus. West Campus will house primarily physician/scientists from YSM.

You are dead right that Levin should consider medical scientists with administrative experience in view of his stated priorities. I do however agree with #13 that this person would best be someone who has served in a more general role in university administration as was the case with Hockfield. A Provost would best understand strategic issues such as the creation of cross-cutting centers and pedagogy. Such individuals are rare.

This is important precisely in light of the 40% budget argument. Although the Provost will need to take a lead role in West Campus development, he/she also needs to have a balanced view of institutional priorities that transcend budget proportions. The appointment of an individual who is primarily focused on YSM and West Campus would not be a positive step for Yale.

Great and imaginative input here. But let's be serious. Does Levin have the backbone to appoint people fitting the criteria mentioned in some of these comments?

Levin has shown himself to have no backbone. He rarely engages in political debates, and when he does, he always takes the ultra liberal position believing it to be safest route. The abortion controversy is a good example of this. Levin must have thought that it would be acceptable for him to lash out against prolifers without causing an uproar. This shows that he is totally out of touch with reality.

I'm class of 2005 so saw them both in action. People who graduated earlier than me swear by Brodhead. But Salovey appeared to students a much more visible, engaging, and I would have to say better president of the college. He had a lot more energy than Brodhead, he was everywhere at once, he talked to students often, and he is much more down to earth and approachable than Brodhead was. The older folks loved Brodhead, but Salovey is doing a better job.

Why should the Dean talk to students often -- or ever? The students don't run the College, nor should they. And since when is being "down to earth and approachable" a qualification? While I agree that certain people are lots of fun to drink beer with, it's a lousy reason for choosing a Leader -- be it CEO, President, or Dean.

Universities were founded in America to educate students. Their evolution into research centers is a relatively recent phenomenon. You are right that Deans and Presidents have many other responsibilities in a modern university beyond the education of students. However, any President or Dean worthy of such a title needs to pay significant attention to the student living/learning experience. At Yale, and any major research 1 university, tuition income still represents several hundred million dollars in revenue, and at smaller liberal arts colleges tuition income is the core of the budget. Deans who are out of touch with the student body do not belong at institutions such as Yale.

As for the Brodhead vs Salovey discussion, it is off the mark, since Brodhead is President of Duke. The discussion here centers on who should be appointed Yale's Provost. Brodhead would not move down to such a role, although he might be a candidate for the Yale presidency at a later date. The next Provost could be Salovey, but could also be any other Deputy Provost, Dean or Chairperson here at Yale or some other institution.

Go Ian Shapirooo!