Since the day the University review or environmental study known as the Fisher Report was commissioned by the Board of Trustees, it has generated considerable interest. The Presidential Search Committee endorsed the conducting of the study and others awaited its completion in the hope that the document would provide helpful information for the University at this important time in its history.
My relationship with the report is somewhat removed because it was conducted primarily to assist with the presidential search process. Like any retiring president there is little direct contact between the search process and me. Although I was one of the more than 300 people interviewed by the Fisher team, I was not consulted about the contents of the final document. I received and read the report with the same high level of interest as others associated with the University.
Since this is a meeting at which we are sharing observations about the Fisher Report there are four points on which I would like to comment briefly.
First, there are many accurate and helpful portions of the report. Members of the Presidential Search Committee, the University community and the next president should concentrate on these passages as they position the University for the future.
Second, some statements are based on out of date or inaccurate information invalidating a recommendation. For example, the statements on pages 42 and 111 about TIAA/CREF not being available as part of an optional retirement program are not true. This option does exist.
Third, some statements and the perception they create are insensitive and unfortunate. For example, the reference to the "graying of the faculty" on pages 5 and 10 have caused an unfortunate amount of attention to be focused on this topic. The references are written in such a way as to border on age discrimination. The University and the faculty as a whole are cognizant of the demographics of this vital component of the University community. A number of initiatives have already been put in place to deal with this circumstance.
However, my fourth and final point is the most important and is related to my initial observation. Many portions of the report will be helpful for the Presidential Search Committee, the University community and the next president and it is these passages on which we should focus our attention. I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees, Academic Senate, Presidential Search Committee and others to implement as many parts of the report as possible to prepare the campus for the arrival of the next president so he or she can have a long and successful tenure as president of this fine university.
In this regard there are some steps which I plan to take in response to the report and to enhance the transition to the next president.
In closing, I reinforce what I said earlier. We must focus on the many positive elements of the report. Each of us must now do our part to help make the Fisher Report an essential link in the chain of events leading to the successful hiring of the best presidential candidate and the series of events which will enable the University to distinguish itself even more in the years ahead.
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