In his first public statement since shortly after being tapped as the next University of Iowa president, Bruce Harreld said he is coming to Iowa for the same reason so many others have come to the state to study, work and live.
"We are creative and collaborative, inspired by this place and its history," Harreld wrote in a message emailed Tuesday afternoon to members of the UI community. "We’re pragmatic but not afraid to think big. We value hard work, we speak forthrightly, and we honor our promises. That’s why we are Iowa."
Since his Sept. 3 selection by the Iowa Board of Regents, Harreld has been meeting privately with UI faculty members, staff, students and alumni. Although he had unanimous support among the nine-member board, various groups on and off campus have issued withering criticism against the search process that led to his hiring — and sometimes against Harreld himself.
"These early conversations have allowed me the opportunity to listen, as well as the chance to illustrate my leadership style," Harreld wrote. "Leadership requires careful listening, seeing problems through others’ eyes, and understanding that the best solutions come when we establish strong teams, exchange ideas, and work together."
In answer to questions raised during those meetings, Harreld offered the following points:
Harreld also alluded to broader crises facing the university — challenges that regents have said could be addressed better by Harreld, as a former IBM executive, than by the other finalists who had decades' worth of experience in university administration.
"Higher education stands at the threshold of changes driven by increased competition, diminished federal and state funding, increased tuition, rapid technology shifts, and questions about its value," he wrote. "At Iowa, I have met people with the will to tackle these changing circumstances head-on. Our campus and community are ready to meet those challenges with creativity and commitment, and I want to help us chart our future."
Harreld's first day on the job is scheduled for Nov. 2.
A protest against his hiring is being scheduled for the regents' Oct. 21-22 meeting in Iowa City.
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/...fers-first-message-why-he-came-iowa/73873882/
"We are creative and collaborative, inspired by this place and its history," Harreld wrote in a message emailed Tuesday afternoon to members of the UI community. "We’re pragmatic but not afraid to think big. We value hard work, we speak forthrightly, and we honor our promises. That’s why we are Iowa."
Since his Sept. 3 selection by the Iowa Board of Regents, Harreld has been meeting privately with UI faculty members, staff, students and alumni. Although he had unanimous support among the nine-member board, various groups on and off campus have issued withering criticism against the search process that led to his hiring — and sometimes against Harreld himself.
"These early conversations have allowed me the opportunity to listen, as well as the chance to illustrate my leadership style," Harreld wrote. "Leadership requires careful listening, seeing problems through others’ eyes, and understanding that the best solutions come when we establish strong teams, exchange ideas, and work together."
In answer to questions raised during those meetings, Harreld offered the following points:
- As a graduate of a public research institution, he believes these institutions are the foundation of our future and that — through their mission of teaching, research and service — "they promise to make our individual and collective lives better."
- He views faculty tenure as a necessary part of "(providing) the foundation for academic freedom, (protecting) innovative research and scholarship, and (ensuring) that our students can learn from the best in their fields."
- He views shared governance among all the campus stakeholders an important part of the institution's success — but he also cautioned that "with shared governance ... comes shared responsibility."
- He recognizes that the university can't succeed unless it invests in its people and strengthens its core mission — even in lean times.
Harreld also alluded to broader crises facing the university — challenges that regents have said could be addressed better by Harreld, as a former IBM executive, than by the other finalists who had decades' worth of experience in university administration.
"Higher education stands at the threshold of changes driven by increased competition, diminished federal and state funding, increased tuition, rapid technology shifts, and questions about its value," he wrote. "At Iowa, I have met people with the will to tackle these changing circumstances head-on. Our campus and community are ready to meet those challenges with creativity and commitment, and I want to help us chart our future."
Harreld's first day on the job is scheduled for Nov. 2.
A protest against his hiring is being scheduled for the regents' Oct. 21-22 meeting in Iowa City.
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/...fers-first-message-why-he-came-iowa/73873882/
