A Balanced Administration

In appointing the next dean of the Faculty, University President Lawrence H. Summers should find an individual who will both complement his strengths and compensate for his weaknesses.

In the wake of the public controversy between Summers and Fletcher University Professor Cornel R. West ’74, several members of the Afro-American studies department have questioned Summers’ commitment to diversity. Though Summers has repeatedly proclaimed the importance of diversity to the University’s academic mission, he should now follow those words with tangible action—by choosing a woman or a minority as the next dean.

There are several highly-qualified women and minority faculty who would make an excellent dean of the Faculty. However, there is still a critical need for more minorities and women in the University’s administration and Faculty. If a woman or minority were chosen, the university might be able to make more progress in recruiting other prominent women and minorities to join the Faculty. If Summers does not choose a woman or minority, he should be sure to picks someone who expresses a strong commitment to diversity. President Neil L. Rudenstine revitalized the Afro-American studies department in the 1990s; Summers should find a new dean of the Faculty who can do the same in other long-marginalized fields.

It is equally important that the next dean of the Faculty be a humanist. The strong social science backgrounds of Summers and Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis ’68 and Provost Steven E. Hyman’s expertise in the hard sciences leave the humanities unrepresented at the highest levels of the University.

The dean of the Faculty is responsible for many things—from recruiting new professors to approving departmental budgets to curbing grade inflation. In all of these areas, a humanist would provide a fresh and needed viewpoint in a science-heavy administration.

The next dean of the Faculty will also need to be a recruiter. First, the new dean will need to attract new professors both to replace old ones and to improve student-faculty interaction, which is sorely lacking in many of the largest departments. Second, the dean must be a central voice emphasizing to the Faculty the importance of undergraduate education. And in designing new academic initiatives, the next dean will need to be a conciliatory, moderating force between the Faculty’s deliberative tendencies and Summers’ strong leadership.

The search started out on a positive note when Summer e-mailed the student body to ask for input. Students must reply, if they hope to make their voices heard, and we urge Summers to give their priorities careful consideration.

Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles dramatically shaped the experience of Harvard’s undergraduates during his 11 years in office. He accomplished many of his goals, but there are many challenges still ahead for his successor. Summers should find an individual who is knowledgeable in the areas in which Summers lacks expertise but who will also help him pursue his stated priorities—emphasizing science, expanding the University into Allston and improving undergraduate education.