Regional Oral History Office University of California The Bancroft Library Berkeley, California Robert M. Berdahl Chancellor, University of California at Berkeley, 1997-2004 Interviews conducted by Lisa Rubens in 2009 Copyright © 2011 by The Regents of the University of California ii 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 Robert M. Berdahl, dated January 16, 2009. 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: Robert M. Berdahl, “Chancellor, University of California at Berkeley, 1997-2004” conducted by Lisa Rubens in 2009, Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 2011. iii Chancellor Robert M. Berdahl, 1997 Photo courtesy of Peg Skorpinski iv v Table of Contents—Robert M. Berdahl Foreward by Paul Gray viii Interview History by Lisa Rubens ix Interview 1: January 15, 2009, morning session 1 Introductory remarks about Presidency of the American Association of Universities and the potential benefits of the new Obama administration— recruitment to become chancellor of U.C. Berkeley while President of the University of Texas at Austin—changes in the political climate at Austin—issues encountered at Austin similar to those at Berkeley—July 1997 assumes Chancellorship at U.C. Berkeley—President Atkinson initiates renovation of Chancellor’s House—establishing priorities as chancellor—responding to the Campus Building Study—hiring a capital improvement administrator— developing the Seismic Retrofit Plan—restructuring administrative jobs and establishing the Office for Continuous Improvement—role of faculty leadership as hallmark of the University of California—improving the library—observations about the Free Speech Movement Café in Moffitt Library and its catalytic effect on improvements in campus appearance—the value of community and interdisciplinary research programs—the Performing Arts Center as an example— on the ecology of a just society—the attack on Affirmative Action—responding to Proposition 209—the Comprehensive Review Process—drafting the American Association of Universities’ opposition to bans on affirmative action—the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Michigan—reflections on Regent Ward Connerly’s national strategy against affirmative action—striving for diversity and equity at U.C. Berkeley—Peg [Margaret] Berdahl’s role in community outreach and programs on campus—breast cancer awareness—the Infant Childcare Center— assisting daughter Daphne Berdahl’s battle against cancer. Interview 2: January 15, 2009, afternoon session 29 Incentive Reward Program for disadvantaged students—growth of student enrollments—effect on diversity and hiring—conflict with Regent John Moores over admissions data—fundraising efforts—crucial donors to Cal at the outset of Berdahl’s administration—a new threshold in the capital campaign—background experience in fundraising and administration—on diversity as a compelling interest for a public institution—the controversy over Ethnic Studies, 1999— Ward Connerly questions the legitimacy of Ethnic Studies—conflicts among the departments—role of UC Berkeley Academic Senate’s Budget Committee. Interview 3: January 16, 2009, morning session 54 Establishing a sense of community at UC Berkeley—UC Berkeley and community partnerships—relationship to the mayor and city council of Berkeley—the disposition of People’s Park—observations about Telegraph vi Avenue; expansion of dorms—friendship with Donna Shalala U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and her participation in Berdahl’s inauguration as chancellor—securing federal research money—resolving conflicts between UC Berkeley and the Associated Students of the University of California—funding the Center for Middle Eastern Studies—the Health Science Initiative—funding facilities—roles of Ed Penhote, Robert Tjian, Daniel Koshland and Governor Gray Davis—fund raising in Asia—impact on East Asian Library—Berkeley Leadership Conferences in Asia—the Controversy over Novartis and the College of Natural Resources. Interview 4: January 16, 2009, afternoon session 77 More on Novartis—UC Office of the President’s concern—relationship to larger strategies for funding the university—funding and programmatic initiatives at the Haas School of Business—concept of socially responsible business and role of Robert Haas—role in selecting and importance of Tom Campbell as Dean of Haas School of Business—the problem of managing inter-collegiate athletics— comparing attitudes towards athletics at the University of Texas and at Berkeley—the legacy of a merged inter-collegiate and recreational sports program—how to sustain more than twenty separate programs—the failed referendum to raise student fees—pressure from the Regents on seismic up- grading of Cal Memorial Stadium—hiring Steve Gladstone as Athletic Director— appointing John Cummins to reorganize Inter-Collegiate Athletics— disappointment in not substantially reducing the deficit—role in hiring Jeff Tedford— assessing the rising costs of athletics—looking for management models and donors—reckoning with violations of NCAA standards—athletes’ grades—minor expenses—UC Berkeley’s relationship to the Office of the President and to the other nine campuses— working with a high-caliber Council of Chancellors—issues of competition between campuses—campus improvements and growth—impact of retirements—specific administrative tasks—dealing with faculty and staff misbehavior—hiring—reviewing tenure and promotion—work habits and structuring time—election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2000—hosting the AAU at Berkeley—becoming chairman of the Membership Committee and of the Association—more on fundraising—observing an interval after the New Century Campaign—meeting with representatives of foundations—recalling outstanding leaders who came to campus—celebrating Berkeley’s outstanding faculty. Interview 5: May 16, 2009 113 Overview of the political climate on campus while chancellor—the university’s response to September 11, 2001—keeping the campus open—meeting with students—candle-light vigil—issue of security on campus—faculty protest over the Patriot Act—the memorial for the victims of 9/11 and the anniversary observation a year later—a changing mood on campus—increasing tensions in the Middle East and protests on campus—adjudicating conflict by meeting with student and community organizations—issues of free speech and academic vii freedom as illuminated in the controversy over the course on the Politics of Palestinian Poetry—opposing the War in Iraq—reviewing the rise and fall of student activism—creating a Task Force on Hate and Bias—on the capacity of universities to sustain intellectual freedom in the service of justice—discussion of core values and philosophy of leadership—teaching U.C. Berkeley history— researching town/gown conflict at The Bancroft Library—becoming a German historian—on the life and scholarship of Daphne Berdahl, anthropologist— teaching at U.C. Berkeley after stepping down as chancellor—observations on U.C. Berkeley from the perspective of President of the American Association of Universities. viii Foreword Bob Berdahl’s tenure as Chancellor spanned a tumultuous period in the history of the Berkeley campus. It was a time that saw great controversy over admissions policy stemming from the earlier passage of California proposition 209, the impact of a large, money-losing intercollegiate athletics program on the finances and culture of the campus, the shock of 9/11 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the reaction of the campus community, as well as many other challenges. These mirrored the experience at other large university campuses, amplified by the exceptional political engagement of faculty