Yale Daily News

Updated: Saturday, November 21, 2009 8:52 a.m.

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Salovey: Yale’s next president?

Staff Reporter
Published Wednesday, September 3, 2008

In appointing Yale College Dean Peter Salovey as provost last week, University President Richard Levin selected for himself a new right-hand man.

He also may have chosen his own successor.

As Salovey prepares to take office next month, his appointment to the University’s number-two position has raised an unavoidable question among those in Yale’s chattering classes: Will the beloved dean be Yale’s 23rd president?

Time will only tell, and administrators and longtime observers of the University caution against trying to forecast the future occupant of Woodbridge...

#1 By Oyunlar O. 12:59p.m. on September 3, 2008

Levin's comments regarding abortion couple of months ago shows he has become totally out of touch with the Yale community. He has been President for too long. It is high time to select a new President who will represent not just the leftists.

#2 By (Anonymous) 1:18p.m. on September 3, 2008

What is Warner House? The provost's office was in HGS until at least 2003 or 2004.

#3 By me 1:53p.m. on September 3, 2008

Why not? Let's continue the dynasty of short, out-of-touch, faux liberal white men.

#4 By (Anonymous) 6:02p.m. on September 3, 2008

Uh, is there some confusion regarding the Yale president's ability to dictate abortion law?

Considering the state of the place when he became president, Levin's done an unbelievable job. I'd be curious to see the YDN compare his managerial style with Salovey's; there was a "Day in the Life" story on Salovey a couple years back, but that was during his first year as YC dean.

#5 By Publius 10:08p.m. on September 3, 2008

Just a tad bit sensationalist, don't ya think?

#6 By Arsenio 2:07a.m. on September 5, 2008

Presidency of a University is a young man's (woman's) game these days. Hiring somebody over 53 or 54 is risky- you want someone who can take 15 years to put a mark on the place and implement a true vision. Like Rick Levin, who essentially was the "Obama" candidate- he went from Dept. Chair to Dean of Grad School to President in a year. But nobody wanted the job in 1992-3. Yale was in rough shape- unhappy faculty, crumbling facilities, huge deficits.

If Levin calls it quits soon- and he has earned that right- Salovey would be an excellent choice. Despite going to Stanford, he's a Yale College guy all the way. He was awesome in the classroom, by the way.

We could do worse. There will be rightful pressure to consider a woman or a minority- and I hope they do so seriously. Do remember how many women were mentored by Levin in the provost role who now govern leading universities...

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