PBHA Reacts To Dean Choice

With a new assistant dean for public service scheduled to arrive on January 1, the outlook for Phillips Brooks House is murky, key players said yesterday.

Judith H. Kidd, currently a vice president of Boston's City Year program, will assume the deanship and become director of Phillips Brooks House (PBH), replacing long-time PBH Executive Director Greg A. Johnson '72.

In his first interview since the decision was announced Tuesday, Johnson said yesterday that he was disappointed with the choice.

"I did share with Harry [Lewis] that I thought he made a mistake," Johnson said of his Tuesday meeting with Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis, who chose Kidd as dean.

Johnson said he thought too many of his interview questions had focused upon loyalty to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), rather than "how the job could best be carried out."

He referred to a 1993 incident when he recommended more staffers for the burgeoning program in the face of an FAS deficit and was told by the administration to "muddle through."

Student members of the Phillips Brooks House Association, Inc. (PBHA) and adult members of its Association Committee were in nearly unanimous agreement that Johnson should have been chosen as the new dean.

"I feel that the students, the programs and the communities were let down [with the choice of Kidd]," said Elizabeth C. Finger '96, a central coordinator for Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND). "I don't feel that they picked the person who was best qualified."

PBHA Vice-President Eric D. Dawson '96 said last night that the organization has received many phone calls from concerned elected officials, alumni and members Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

"They're concerned that the students aren't being listened to and that they're not being listened to, "Dawson said. "They're just as upset as we are."

Members of the search committee, however, said Lewis had made a good choice from a strong candidate pool.

"I think the person [Lewis] chose has very strong qualities that fit well with the needs of the job," said Daniel Steiner, the committee's chair. "I think there were a number of strong candidates, and Judith Kidd was certainly one of them.

The committee submitted to Lewis as candidates Kidd, Johnson, PBH Assistant Director Ken Smith and another outside candidate.

"[Kidd] is a person with strong experience, great energy, good judgment and excellent management skills," Steiner said. "She also relates well to students and other volunteers."

Professor of Sociology Theda Skocpol, who chairs the faculty-student committee on public service, also defended the choice.

"I was involved in the interviews for all the candidates, and I read the very thorough documentation that was provided by the search committee and talked it over with Dean Lewis," Skocpol said Tuesday night.

"I understand that many of the students that have been passionately involved with public service are worried about changes," Skocpol added. "I think they are going to come to like Dean Kidd, and I think they are going to realize through experience that Harvard is not backing off its commitment to fostering public service opportunities for students."

Both Steiner and Skocpol nonetheless emphasized the value of Johnson's many years at the College.

"I personally believe that Greg Johnson has made an enormous contribution over the years which nothing can take anything away from," Skocpol said.

But professor of the Practice of Indo-Muslim Languages and Cultures Ali S. Asani said that the decision was misguided.

"I just hope that [Lewis] has very solid reasons for choosing her over him, especially considering [Johnson is] someone who has devoted a substantial part of his career to public service at Harvard," Asani said. "To treat someone like that is just inhumane."

Johnson and HAND Director Gail Epstein, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, will stay in their posts until Jun. 30, when they will be let go with severance pay. Johnson said his compensation will amount to about $38,000 for his 17 years of service to the University.

Johnson will assist Kidd in the transition to her new job and will help plan for PBH's centennial in 1998.

Giving Kidd a Chance

Kidd's success in relating to students will depend upon how open their minds are, Steiner said.

"On the basis of all the interviews and all that I've seen and heard about her, I think she will do well with students if given a fair chance," he said. Skocpol also stressed that there would be "a period of getting to know her and the new situation."

But angry students may not want to allot her that grace period.

"I think that students were given the opportunity to speak, but I don't believe that their opinions were taken into consideration," Finger said of the search process and Lewis' decision. HAND will need additional staffers to continue operating without Epstein, she said.

One PBH staffer said yesterday that things will be "really chaotic" for a while.

"We will continue, but it will very disruptive," said Monique E. Dixon '86, director of programs for PBHA. "How things are done and why things are done--none of that I think makes sense to a lot of people, and...it leaves a lot of people feeling confused and wondering what exactly was going on."

Dixon said she is unsure whether she will stay on at PBH, due to a combination of factors, including "reevaluating what I want to do and where I want to be."

As for PBH programming, Johnson said he is uncertain what will happen to grants for summer programs, the request for which must be approved by a PBH official in late December.

"I've generally signed that as the executive director of PBHA, Inc.," Johnson said. "I could legally sign it, but I can't ethically sign it not knowing what's going to exist in the summer." He added that PBH Assistant Director Smith may be able to vouch for the programs in good faith and sign the grant request.

Options

Although PBHA members discussed the prospect of autonomy last week, they could encounter difficulties if they decide to become independent.

PBH does own its Harvard Yard building, so rent would not necessarily be a problem. "[PBH is] the primary and favored tenant of this building by deed of gift," Johnson said.

But according to Steiner, PBH might face other financial problems. "At the moment, the University puts a great deal of money into supporting the public service programs."

And Assistant Dean of Students Sarah E. Flatley said "it might be somewhat impractical" for PBHA to go independent, due to financial reasons.

But PBHA officers have referred to the organization's 13,000-member alumni base a potential source for funding.

Biding Their Time

Until the new dean takes over, PBH affiliates said, all they can do is wait.

"I think that everyone sort of has a wait-and-see attitude, in terms of how crazy is it going to be, how disruptive is it going to be, are students going to be able to work?" Dixon said.

The PBHA cabinet met last night to discuss their reaction to Kidd's appointment.

"What we talked about was informing the cabinet about what has happened so far, what it means for PBH, what it definitely means in terms of Greg and Gail getting fired, what it possibly means," Vice President Dawson said.

According to Dawson, the cabinet drafted a letter to Lewis expressing their concern about the selection process.

"We are deeply concerned about the administration's disregard for the experience and knowledge of students, staff, alumni, and community members involved in public service at Harvard College," reads the letter, which is signed, "The Students of Harvard College."

"At each stage of the review and search process for the Assistant Dean of Public Service, student input was solicited and subsequently dismissed."

"The dangerous trend of disregard for the best interests of public service must end," the letter reads.

PBHA officials said last night that the letter will be circulated throughout the College so that any students who are equally concerned can sign it.

Dawson said the cabinet and a subcommittee formed last week to discuss possible autonomy will continue to meet indefinitely.

Ultimately, HAND coordinator Finger's assessment may be the most accurate in a period when everyone at PBH is uneasy about the future.

"It's not a very happy time," she said

Members of the search committee, however, said Lewis had made a good choice from a strong candidate pool.

"I think the person [Lewis] chose has very strong qualities that fit well with the needs of the job," said Daniel Steiner, the committee's chair. "I think there were a number of strong candidates, and Judith Kidd was certainly one of them.

The committee submitted to Lewis as candidates Kidd, Johnson, PBH Assistant Director Ken Smith and another outside candidate.

"[Kidd] is a person with strong experience, great energy, good judgment and excellent management skills," Steiner said. "She also relates well to students and other volunteers."

Professor of Sociology Theda Skocpol, who chairs the faculty-student committee on public service, also defended the choice.

"I was involved in the interviews for all the candidates, and I read the very thorough documentation that was provided by the search committee and talked it over with Dean Lewis," Skocpol said Tuesday night.

"I understand that many of the students that have been passionately involved with public service are worried about changes," Skocpol added. "I think they are going to come to like Dean Kidd, and I think they are going to realize through experience that Harvard is not backing off its commitment to fostering public service opportunities for students."

Both Steiner and Skocpol nonetheless emphasized the value of Johnson's many years at the College.

"I personally believe that Greg Johnson has made an enormous contribution over the years which nothing can take anything away from," Skocpol said.

But professor of the Practice of Indo-Muslim Languages and Cultures Ali S. Asani said that the decision was misguided.

"I just hope that [Lewis] has very solid reasons for choosing her over him, especially considering [Johnson is] someone who has devoted a substantial part of his career to public service at Harvard," Asani said. "To treat someone like that is just inhumane."

Johnson and HAND Director Gail Epstein, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, will stay in their posts until Jun. 30, when they will be let go with severance pay. Johnson said his compensation will amount to about $38,000 for his 17 years of service to the University.

Johnson will assist Kidd in the transition to her new job and will help plan for PBH's centennial in 1998.

Giving Kidd a Chance

Kidd's success in relating to students will depend upon how open their minds are, Steiner said.

"On the basis of all the interviews and all that I've seen and heard about her, I think she will do well with students if given a fair chance," he said. Skocpol also stressed that there would be "a period of getting to know her and the new situation."

But angry students may not want to allot her that grace period.

"I think that students were given the opportunity to speak, but I don't believe that their opinions were taken into consideration," Finger said of the search process and Lewis' decision. HAND will need additional staffers to continue operating without Epstein, she said.

One PBH staffer said yesterday that things will be "really chaotic" for a while.

"We will continue, but it will very disruptive," said Monique E. Dixon '86, director of programs for PBHA. "How things are done and why things are done--none of that I think makes sense to a lot of people, and...it leaves a lot of people feeling confused and wondering what exactly was going on."

Dixon said she is unsure whether she will stay on at PBH, due to a combination of factors, including "reevaluating what I want to do and where I want to be."

As for PBH programming, Johnson said he is uncertain what will happen to grants for summer programs, the request for which must be approved by a PBH official in late December.

"I've generally signed that as the executive director of PBHA, Inc.," Johnson said. "I could legally sign it, but I can't ethically sign it not knowing what's going to exist in the summer." He added that PBH Assistant Director Smith may be able to vouch for the programs in good faith and sign the grant request.

Options

Although PBHA members discussed the prospect of autonomy last week, they could encounter difficulties if they decide to become independent.

PBH does own its Harvard Yard building, so rent would not necessarily be a problem. "[PBH is] the primary and favored tenant of this building by deed of gift," Johnson said.

But according to Steiner, PBH might face other financial problems. "At the moment, the University puts a great deal of money into supporting the public service programs."

And Assistant Dean of Students Sarah E. Flatley said "it might be somewhat impractical" for PBHA to go independent, due to financial reasons.

But PBHA officers have referred to the organization's 13,000-member alumni base a potential source for funding.

Biding Their Time

Until the new dean takes over, PBH affiliates said, all they can do is wait.

"I think that everyone sort of has a wait-and-see attitude, in terms of how crazy is it going to be, how disruptive is it going to be, are students going to be able to work?" Dixon said.

The PBHA cabinet met last night to discuss their reaction to Kidd's appointment.

"What we talked about was informing the cabinet about what has happened so far, what it means for PBH, what it definitely means in terms of Greg and Gail getting fired, what it possibly means," Vice President Dawson said.

According to Dawson, the cabinet drafted a letter to Lewis expressing their concern about the selection process.

"We are deeply concerned about the administration's disregard for the experience and knowledge of students, staff, alumni, and community members involved in public service at Harvard College," reads the letter, which is signed, "The Students of Harvard College."

"At each stage of the review and search process for the Assistant Dean of Public Service, student input was solicited and subsequently dismissed."

"The dangerous trend of disregard for the best interests of public service must end," the letter reads.

PBHA officials said last night that the letter will be circulated throughout the College so that any students who are equally concerned can sign it.

Dawson said the cabinet and a subcommittee formed last week to discuss possible autonomy will continue to meet indefinitely.

Ultimately, HAND coordinator Finger's assessment may be the most accurate in a period when everyone at PBH is uneasy about the future.

"It's not a very happy time," she said