Regional Oral History Office University of California The Bancroft Library Berkeley, California John Cummins Conversations with John Cummins: Four Decades of Administrative Leadership at the University of California, Berkeley Interviews conducted by Lisa Rubens 2008-2012 Copyright © 2013 by The Regents of the University of California Since 1954 the Regional Oral History Office has been interviewing leading participants in or well-placed witnesses to major events in the development of Northern California, the West, and the nation. Oral History is a method of collecting historical information through tape-recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. The tape recording is transcribed, lightly edited for continuity and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewee. The corrected manuscript is bound with photographs and illustrative materials and placed in The Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, and in other research collections for scholarly use. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account, offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is reflective, partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. ********************************* All uses of this manuscript are covered by a legal agreement between The Regents of the University of California and John Cummins dated April 13, 2012. The manuscript is thereby made available for research purposes. All literary rights in the manuscript, including the right to publish, are reserved to The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley. Excerpts up to 1000 words from this interview may be quoted for publication without seeking permission as long as the use is non-commercial and properly cited. Requests for permission to quote for publication should be addressed to The Bancroft Library, Head of Public Services, Mail Code 6000, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000, and should follow instructions available online at http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/collections/cite.html It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows: John Cummins “Conversations with John Cummins: Four Decades of Administrative Leadership at the University of California, Berkeley” conducted by Lisa Rubens 2008-2012, Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 2013. John Cummins (photo by Peg Skorpinski) v Table of Contents Interview History by Lisa Rubens ix Foreword by Patrick Hayashi xi Introduction by Neil Smelser xv Interview 1: May 15, 2008 Audio File 1 1 Reflecting on changes in the university over a thirty-six year career — Assessing the nature of a research institution, the need for fundraising, the importance of interdisciplinary research and the role of inter-collegiate athletics — Creating the University Athletics Board. Audio File 2 12 Family background — Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA — Influence of the Catholic Church — A year at Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy — Joining the Christian Brothers — Leaving the order to work with low income gang youth — A theology student at Marquette University — Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and anti-Vietnam War activities in Milwaukee — Pursuing a PhD in education and public policy at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; a creative environment — Marrying Peggy Kelly — Running an alternative school for African American students — Developing capacity for getting things done — Reflecting on the social and political movements of the 1960s and 1970s; the turn towards violence; the difficulty in creating coalitions; parallels to the anti-apartheid demonstrations at Berkeley in the 1980s — Arriving at UC Berkeley with a social conscious and social movement experience. Interview 2: May 21, 2008 Audio File 3 37 Observations on critical texts for social activists — Recounting a succession of crises faced under Chancellor Chang-Lin Tien’s administration: refurbishing University House; the death of an intruder at University House; a fire at a fraternity; a bomb threat; the siege at Henry’s Bar; the Oakland hills fire — Reflections on Chancellor Tien: an optimistic nature; humanizing the university; role as fundraiser; extraordinary personal skills; difficult to work for — Responding to UC Regents’ and Prop 209’s bans on affirmative action. Audio File 4 50 Responding to claims of VIP admissions and over representation of Asian students — Reflecting on Tien’s personality and work habits — Cummins’s role as chief of staff for Tien — Administrative response to crises: chairing the Operations Group: retreats to review practices; observing other campuses — An aside on how the use of computers and email increases administrative workload. Interview 3: May 29, 2008 Audio File 5 61 Reflecting on issues of diversity and affirmative action — Requirements imposed by Federal Executive Order — Chancellor Heyman’s commitment to diversification of the student body — Reflections on Heyman’s leadership, intellect, administrative appointments, national network of friends — Heyman’s role in transforming biological sciences at Berkeley — Issues of technology transfer and benefits to the University; impact of Bayh-Dole — On seismic retrofitting at Berkeley — Heyman’s personal response to campus ban on cigarette smoking. Audio File 6 72 Issues related to Asian students’ enrollment; impact on admissions policy — Michael Heyman steps down as chancellor; considered for UC Presidency — Heyman and Cummins’s interaction with UC President David Gardner — Reflections on leadership strengths of Gardner — Comparative leadership styles of Chancellors Heyman, Tien and Berdahl. Interview 4: June 17, 2008 Audio File 7 81 Brief discussion of rise in administrative salaries — Reflection on last years of Chang- Lin Tien’s life — Preparations for Robert Berdahl becoming chancellor at Berkeley: issues of protocol and transition — Refurbishing University House — Reflections on Berdahl’s personality, academic background and leadership style — Conflict over faculty allotments in the Department of Ethnic Studies — Cummins’s responsibilities for public affairs l986-1992 — More on administrative response to Proposition 209 and the end of affirmative action — Response to criticisms of Berdahl’s management style — More on intercollegiate athletics: relationship between donors and budget management. Audio File 8 94 Observations on the role of chair of the Budget Committee of the Academic Senate — Budget Committee’s responsibility for academic review, promotions and tenure — Overview of allocation of administrative duties: from Chancellor Bowker to Chancellor Berdahl. Interview 5: January 20, 2010 Audio File 9 99 Reflecting on the transformation of the Office of Public Affairs over successive administrations — Cummins reports directly to the chancellor l986-1992 — The anti- apartheid and divestment movement April, 1985: a new order of student protest — Building cooperation between public affairs units — Administrative reorganization under Chancellor Tien — Considering the best strategies for representing university needs to the press — Creating a broadcast program whereby Chancellor Berdahl communicates personally with the campus community. Interview 6: January 27, 2010 Audio File 10 107 On the advent of corporate style of administration and management of information — Responding to a new campus organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, 2001 — More on the evolution and character of student protest: changes in the student body and impact on student activism — Further reflections on the anti-apartheid protest. Audio File 11 123 Working with campus police — More observations on conflicts, protests and the university’s response: People’s Park; bans on affirmative action; protests; Proposition 209; ethnic studies; the class on Politics and Poetics of Palestinian Resistance Literature. Interview 7: February 3, 2010 Audio File 12 131 Reflections on the American Cultures requirement — The administrative response to the SARS epidemic; a crisis for public relations and potential loss of a generous donor — Forming a task force to prepare for major conflicts and disasters: Project X and the Operations Group; lessons from the shootings at Virginia Tech — Balancing the integrity of university policies, media pressure and the public’s right to know — Responding to animal rights issues; escalating threats to the University and individual research faculty. Audio File 13 146 The University testifies on behalf of legislation to protect individual faculty — Moving Berkeley’s research colony of hyenas during the 1991 Oakland hills fire — On the proliferation of student organizations and administrative support for student life — On the mediating role of the dean of students — Issues of student conduct. Interview 8: February 10, 2010 Audio File 14 153 Creating a student-neighbor taskforce — Response to excessive alcohol use and noise from students living off campus — Coordinating campus and city resources and responsibilities: passing new city ordinances; creating alcohol education programs — Reflecting on the rise of student alcohol consumption and uncivil behavior — The role of parents and changing attitudes towards in loco parentis — Oversight by the Student Conduct Office — On changes in whistle blowing policies: more protections for the whistleblower;