Tuesday, October 28, 1980 Published by the University of Pennsylvania Volume 27, Number 10 The President is Elected: Sheldon Hackney All 37 eligible hands went up when Chair- questions about Dr. Hackney's qualifica- man Paul F. Miller Jr. called for the "ayes" tions. To the key questions, these were some at Friday's open meeting ofthe Trustees. Dr. of the answers: Sheldon Hackney, award-winning historian, On administrative ability: Charles Wolf former provost of Princeton and president quoted references who said Dr. Hackney of Tulane, will take office February I as the "left no unsolved problems at Princeton," sixth president of the University of Penn- and balanced the Tulane budget while mov- sylvania. ing the educational program forward. In the two-day fall meeting of the full On educational leadership: Praise of his body of the Trustees of the University of scholarship came from Dr. Carl Kaysen Pennsylvania there were celebrations (of the ("No university president himself is compe- Program for the Eighties' success and the tent to cover the enormous range of disci- opening of the Year ofthe Black Centenary), plines ... but havingdone it yourself is a vital tributes (to Provost Vartan Gregorian at his ingredient ....") Mrs. Jacqueline Wexler last meeting ofthe Trustees, and to President Martin Meyerson at his next-to-last full board session) and one speech openly criti- INSIDE cal of the handling of the presidential selec- tion process (by Emeritus Trustee Sarkes November 5 Senate topics-faculty salary, Tarzian). Reliance chair, presidential search process, termination of clinician-educators, 4 The election ofthe new president followed p. a half-hour Speaking Out, p. 5 discussion in which Chairman Louis Miller described the Schwartz on Gregorian Affair, p. 6 search and selection William Evan on 7 and individual trustees asked Pseudo-Democracy, p. procedures F. Gerard Adams on Klein's Work, p. 12 added that she found evidence of "extraordi- of sports in the Tulane tradition, took a summary of his five years as dean of FAS nary integrity, intellectual depth and social "floundering" football and basketball pro- and two years asprovost-ended with a trib- sensitivity," with respect for collegial deci- grams and turned them around; but "under- ute to Martin Meyerson for his leadership; sion-making plus the courage to act. She stands Ivy athletics" and would be support- gratitude to colleagues; and a reminder that used the upgrading offaculty at Tulane as an ive at Penn within the Ivy framework. "the University has been here for 240 years example. Onfundraising: Reginald Jones, stressing and will last another 250." During a long On diversity. The Hon. A. Leon Higgin- Penn's need for $46 million this year even standing ovation, Emeritus Trustee Sarkes botham, Jr., "impressed with the present after a successful campaign, set the stage Tarzian asked for recognition, and following Provost and his commitment," said his calls with "I have yet to find anybody who enjoys a brief speech from Mr. Meyerson, he was to presidents ofpredominantly-black Xavier fundraising. There are two classes-the will- called upon by the chair: and Dillard Universities in New Orleans ing and unwilling; and within the willing Mr. Tarzian: I want also to express my produced confidence that Dr. Hackney again two classes-the effective and those thanks to Dr. Gregorian for all the things would be "fair and vigorous, and would rec- who flunk out." He found Dr. Hackney that he has done while he has been here at the ognize that a university that did not move on "extremely articulate in stating the case, and University of Pennsylvania. It was Mr. Mey- the affirmative action front would be defi- vitally concerned with academic planning to erson and I who wereprincipally responsible cient." He cited cooperative programs with develop the case." While balancing the for getting Vartan to come here ... to head Xavier, and concluded that Dr. Hackney budget at Tulane he increased fundraising, the [Tarzian] Chair of Armenian History would "deal effectively on the issues of plu- Mr. Jones said, despite an essentially "local" and Culture. After he was here for a year or ralism," but reminded trustees of their con- rather than national board (which he two they asked him to organize and become tinuing role of leadership. changed). Dr. Kaysen added that he investi- dean of FAS, and I think everyone has On relations with students: Dr. Gloria gated allegations that Dr. Hackney was acknowledged that he did an outstanding Chisum emphasized post-nomination infor- "slow" in launching a major effort: He con- job. Then he became provost and again did mation (with confidentiality a barrier to pre- cluded that a debated personnel decision (on an outstanding job. But in some respects I nomination sampling) which showed Tulane a fundraiser since gone to Yale) reflected the think that he hasn't been treated civilly students expressing regret at his loss, and she Tulane environment; and he added that Here the University, the Executive Board of added personal examples of parents' and observers in the South believe Dr. Hackney the Trustees, the faculty, and everyone else students' appreciation of Dr. Hackney. moved at "the right pace"for the institution. should be congratulated for having the suc- On athletics: Robert Levy described the "If he had jumped in ... he would have fallen cessful campaign and raising the $255 mil- situation that met Dr. Hackney at Tulane, on his face," Dr. Kaysen said. lion. And we were all looking forward to where a large segment of faculty and admin- After the election, the standing items of a unifying influence in bringing all of us istration wanted to dc-emphasize sports. He president's and provost's reports began in together and overcoming whatever disagree- said Dr. Hackney recognized the importance the usual order. Provost Gregorian'sreport- ments we may have had. But I feel, and I The Fun of It-when a $255 million campaign ends with $259,389,789 in hand-is dining and dancing in Hutchinson Gym to celebrate. The Benjamin Franklin Associates, who normally hold their annual party at this time, gave up their date Thursday night to the Program for the Eighties for the kind ofparty that callsfor Big Bands and big banners. With jitterbugs andfox-trotters on thefloor, it was forties revisited-except for the mimes andjugglers who are the Bicentennial's legacy to Philadelphia celebrations. The 'thank you' was for donors and campaign staff alike. Sleight-oJhand: The clown drew fib wers out ofthe air for Benjamin Franklin Associates Chairman Lou Meyer, but the Associates pulled over $7 million out their In the Mood: Vartan Gregorian and Nancy Sweeten of pockets for the campaign. 2 October 28, 1980 Almanac think there are other trustees who probably his superb leadership and service to both rank. It is relatively underfunded in a way, the feel the same way, that the Executive Board faculty and students of the University and needs some pushing in the next ten years did not handle selection] in his roles first as dean of the Faculty of or so if it's to maintain and increase its [the sensitively. Arts and Sciences as going knew when the selection and provost of the else is to sit still Everyone process University. quality. Nobody going started-and many, many people admit- either. But 1 think our ambition is to make it ted-that if the selection had been made at The motion carried Dr. stronger and stronger... would have unanimously. Greg- that time, Vartan Gregorian orian resumed, three (On whether the search could have been to next of the submitting promotions been chosen be the president omitted from the October 16 Trustees Exec- handled better): The question you're asking We had to follow the is not for me. I can tell was University. procedure, utive Board action (passed) and Finance only you-and 1 which was proper.... If there was any good Chairman John W. Eckman introduced on the other side of that process-[that] I reason Vartan name could was treated with the utmost consideration why Gregorian's three motions that passed-on renovation not be submitted to the Executive Board to the consultative chair- of Dietrich Hall, lease-purchase of the by committee, by the be considered as a candidate, I think that former PGH Nurses Residence, and an man, Paul Miller, and by the Executive could have been done Board of Trustees. 1 was made to feel diplomatically energy control investment. Mrs. Sara Senior that his friends or to him and were serious about the from the through personally described a forthcoming report of her com- they process in confidence. And I am sure if there were I was not sure about- mittee on alumni, due for distribution by beginning-which reason he shouldn't hold that and treated me as an individual from the legitimate why January, and Chairman Miller shortened just office, he would have been the first to want were honest and the agenda (with a passing note on good beginning. They very very to withdraw from considered, in that courteous and that's all one can ask. being investment portfolio performance). He was this hassle. whether he sees way preventing introducing a new trustee, Michael Gilson, (On problems risingfrom In this article the I have been made to feel a (reads from Inquirer when Dr. Sheldon Hackney arrived and Mr. process): by October some trustee an omelet has number of and students who were 24) says Miller urged him to the microphone: faculty been made and and it's not to involved in the discussion of the selection possible put Dr.