Pilarz to step down

[BubbaWilliams]

This guy makes some sever changes to campus and the way the school is run (getting rid of the FFP Program) then quits. What a coward.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Hiring a politician would piss off ideological jugheads. Those who discern the person from their politics would be fine.

I'm Catholic and Marquette is a Catholic institution....I'd have a hard time having a President of the university like the one suggested, Feinstein  Feingold, who supported a number of laws, policies, etc that are the antithesis of Catholic doctrine.

So while your statement may be correct, in that particular example that I responded to is a result of what the man believes which is at polar opposites of Catholicism.  So, in some case, you can't separate them due to the fact we are Catholic university.  If this was a public university, HUGE difference.  It's not, it is Catholic.


Edit:  Feingold instead of Feinstein (Feinstein is my wonderful Senator, Feingold was Wisconsin's wonderful Senator)

[mu03eng]

Theories as to his departure circulating campus this morning:

1.       He was not a good fund raiser – and introverted
2.       He did not interact well with the Jesuit community
3.       He was not liked by the students and faculty
4.       He did not attend the MU basketball games regularly – actually very infrequently
5.       the above could all be horse manure

One could argue 1 through 4 are symptoms of an introvert who wilted under the spotlight.  I'm very intrigued by the person who posted above regarding a president who treats the students as customers.  Having had some inside looks at how MU is run thanks to classes and contacts through the MBA program, I have to say there is so much waste it's disgusting.  There is a real opportunity to be the university that acts as an agent of change for higher education in general.  We can deliver the same value, if not better, at a much lower cost which would allow the university to keep pricing to students level, god forbid, even lower them potentially.  Additionally, the university could tie it's "rankings" to outcomes of students performance....where and how many have jobs, median incomes, and humanitarian works.

MU wants to move up in the rankings, I don't see how you can do that doing the same thing as everyone else.  We aren't going to be Georgetown, we don't have the brand recognition and you won't get it through "me too products".  We need to move outside of the traditional mold of higher education and I think a new president is the perfect opportunity to do that.

[forgetful]

I'm Catholic and Marquette is a Catholic institution....I'd have a hard time having a President of the university like the one suggested, Feinstein, who supported a number of laws, policies, etc that are the antithesis of Catholic doctrine.

So while your statement may be correct, in that particular example that I responded to is a result of what the man believes which is at polar opposites of Catholicism.  So, in some case, you can't separate them due to the fact we are Catholic university.  If this was a public university, HUGE difference.  It's not, it is Catholic.

I can actually understand this contention and although I think Feingold would be a good University President, your points indicate legitimately why he would be a bad fit for MU. 

Chico's, I'll support your run for MU president if you bring me on as a Provost.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

No thanks...donations going elsewhere if he is the choice

Isn't he already running Marquette? Sometimes, I can't tell what the difference would be.

[Knight Commission]

How about someone who understands that Students are Customers?

Wouldn't that be a welcome change?

Yes!  

In his last year, Fr. Raynor met with me after I wrote an editorial in the MU Tribune critical of his lack of visibility on campus.  He mentioned that fundraising was his primary responsibility. However he stepped down six months later.

I think a high visibility, high energy, strong personality is important for the job (like an MU BBall coach). Helps draw attention and separates us from the pack. Love him or hate him, but Gordon Gee is a great protoype.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

One could argue 1 through 4 are symptoms of an introvert who wilted under the spotlight.  I'm very intrigued by the person who posted above regarding a president who treats the students as customers.  Having had some inside looks at how MU is run thanks to classes and contacts through the MBA program, I have to say there is so much waste it's disgusting.  There is a real opportunity to be the university that acts as an agent of change for higher education in general.  We can deliver the same value, if not better, at a much lower cost which would allow the university to keep pricing to students level, god forbid, even lower them potentially.  Additionally, the university could tie it's "rankings" to outcomes of students performance....where and how many have jobs, median incomes, and humanitarian works.

MU wants to move up in the rankings, I don't see how you can do that doing the same thing as everyone else.  We aren't going to be Georgetown, we don't have the brand recognition and you won't get it through "me too products".  We need to move outside of the traditional mold of higher education and I think a new president is the perfect opportunity to do that.

+ 1 million.

Unfortunately, I suspect the academic infrastructure has never been the most efficient (not really designed to be).

It will take some serious vision and growing pains for MU to step out and do something different.

With this said, with great risk comes great opportunity.

[ChicosBailBonds]

+ 1 million.

Unfortunately, I suspect the academic infrastructure has never been the most efficient (not really designed to be).

It will take some serious vision and growing pains for MU to step out and do something different.

With this said, with great risk comes great opportunity.

Yup.  As long as you have the concept of tenure, how could it ever be? 

[Tugg Speedman]

Take another look at your list. These are almost all public schools, and none of them are Jesuit. In most state university systems, the President is in charge of administration of the entire system, not just one university. Chancellors run the individual universities. That is how the UW system operates.  

The Jesuit model operates a little differently. The president is actually more involved. We don't have a chancellor. The president of a Jesuit university is effectively both President and Chancellor. True, we have a provost, but that is not really responsible for the running of the entire university. The provost is the main academic administrator, they set curricula and hire deans. But the President is not just involved in PR and fundraising, as you suggest (while it is certainly a large part of his job). The President sets the overall direction for the university. He is involved in real estate decisions, expansions, building projects, hiring of administrators, long-term strategic planning, updating and enforcing university policies, serving as a liason with the city of Milwaukee, serving as a liason with the Society of Jesus, etc. I don't think you really understand everything a Marquette University president does. As I said, a politician would be a terrible choice at a university like Marquette. It should be a Jesuit, and if that is not possible, a Catholic layperson who has an understanding of Jesuit mission and Marquette's unique role in society, who is also able to fundraise effectively.

Correct, almost ALL are public universities, but the ivies are not, they are non-religious private universities.

If the Jesuits want the President to wear too many hats, they are apt to be disappointed.  One person has to do what best for the university and fund raise (the president) and another has to run it (chancellor/provost).  You job description :

"involved in real estate decisions?  You want him talk to real estate brokers and reviewing building plans with developers?  Or does someone else do that he meets well heeled people when their private plans lands at Mitchell about putting their name on it?

You really want the President to hire all the administrators?  You want him spending his time reviewing resumes and negotiating pay?  Or, would you rather have him to be the last interview of the person that has already been picked for the job, giving him a broad veto only.

updating and enforcing university policies?  You want him riding around with public safety?  I thought the Deans enforce policy.  Yes he can sit in on high level meetings (which are infrequent) in setting policy.  But does he have to get involved in a discussion about .1 or .08 alcohol limit?

a liason with the city of Milwaukee.  You want him talking to local representatives about campustown garbage pickup?  Or do you only want him to get involved at high levels when necessary?  Like a problem develops and they University needs something from the City.  So, he only liason's with the Mayor and talks to the Mayor when the issues rise to that level.

serving as a liason with the Society of Jesus.  What if he is a layperson?

---

All of these things you describe are very important.  But a University like MU is a big and complicated place.  More than one person needs to so all these things.  More than 2 might be needed for what you describe.

That said, I would argue you accurately described Father P's job description and he's leaving after two years.  What you describe is a problem.  You're asking the President to do too much.  So, if you're correct, it needs to change.

Similar in business is the Chairman of the Board and CEO are two positions.  It is not good in business when someone does both.  I would argue the same is true for a university, not good to have one person be the equivalent of Chairman and CEO.

So. before we talk about who should be the next President, I guess a description of the job, and limitations of the job (what the President does and does not do) is in order.

[ChicosBailBonds]

This guy makes some sever changes to campus and the way the school is run (getting rid of the FFP Program) then quits. What a coward.

I don't know the details of this, but if FFP is gone why is it still on the MU site under a 2013 date?

http://www.marquette.edu/ffp/

Sounds to me like they changed it, but didn't get rid of it.  Also sounds like they changed it to be more fundamentally fair about who is admitted, which I applaud them for.   http://marquettetribune.org/2012/12/06/news/ffp/

[Tugg Speedman]

One could argue 1 through 4 are symptoms of an introvert who wilted under the spotlight.  I'm very intrigued by the person who posted above regarding a president who treats the students as customers.  Having had some inside looks at how MU is run thanks to classes and contacts through the MBA program, I have to say there is so much waste it's disgusting.  There is a real opportunity to be the university that acts as an agent of change for higher education in general.  We can deliver the same value, if not better, at a much lower cost which would allow the university to keep pricing to students level, god forbid, even lower them potentially.  Additionally, the university could tie it's "rankings" to outcomes of students performance....where and how many have jobs, median incomes, and humanitarian works.

MU wants to move up in the rankings, I don't see how you can do that doing the same thing as everyone else.  We aren't going to be Georgetown, we don't have the brand recognition and you won't get it through "me too products".  We need to move outside of the traditional mold of higher education and I think a new president is the perfect opportunity to do that.

+1

That is why having the job of Provost open as well is a blessing, not a curse.  This gives the University the change to pick two people with the same vision and purpose at once to change the University for the better.  Two people that are not tied to the current bloated bureaucracy and inefficiencies that can change them, not defend them.

Picking one person that has to wear too many hats will not accomplish this goal.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I'm Catholic and Marquette is a Catholic institution....I'd have a hard time having a President of the university like the one suggested, Feinstein  Feingold, who supported a number of laws, policies, etc that are the antithesis of Catholic doctrine.

So while your statement may be correct, in that particular example that I responded to is a result of what the man believes which is at polar opposites of Catholicism.  So, in some case, you can't separate them due to the fact we are Catholic university.  If this was a public university, HUGE difference.  It's not, it is Catholic.


Edit:  Feingold instead of Feinstein (Feinstein is my wonderful Senator, Feingold was Wisconsin's wonderful Senator)

Of course recent comments from the pope, who is Jesuit, on the surface make him sound more like Feingold & Feinstein.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Of course recent comments from the pope, who is Jesuit, on the surface make him sound more like Feingold & Feinstein.

Not really...he issued additional clarifying comments the very next day, of course the media didn't pick those up....shocking.  At the end of the day, I doubt MU is ever going to have a President that supports abortion, which is very much not Feingold & Feinstein. 

This is why a politician does matter truly in the debate for a Catholic university...it gets down the core beliefs of Catholicism.  You would have such a backlash it would be incredible.  http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Russell_Feingold_Abortion.htm

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Of course recent comments from the pope, who is Jesuit, on the surface make him sound more like Feingold & Feinstein.

Not to get off topic, but I LOVE Pope Francis. I already think he's amazing, and I'm excited and proud of the Catholic Church.

He's the real deal... I don't need 5 years to know that 

[Eldon]

Yup.  As long as you have the concept of tenure, how could it ever be? 

You didnt state it explicitly so ill give you the benefit of the doubt, but youre not suggesting we dump tenure to achieve greater efficiency are you?

[Aughnanure]

Not really...he issued additional clarifying comments the very next day, of course the media didn't pick those up....shocking.  At the end of the day, I doubt MU is ever going to have a President that supports abortion, which is very much not Feingold & Feinstein. 

This is why a politician does matter truly in the debate for a Catholic university...it gets down the core beliefs of Catholicism.  You would have such a backlash it would be incredible.  http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Russell_Feingold_Abortion.htm

Hmmm, I wonder why....

They didn't pick up on them because they didn't come from his mouth. Its Vatican PR covering their ass. Did this after his atheist comments too. Not shocking whatsoever.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Theories as to his departure circulating campus this morning:

1.       He was not a good fund raiser – and introverted
2.       He did not interact well with the Jesuit community
3.       He was not liked by the students and faculty
4.       He did not attend the MU basketball games regularly – actually very infrequently
5.       the above could all be horse manure

All of this should've/would've surfaced in the search process...although I did recently discover he's not a sports fan at all. This is contrary to statements he made after arriving on campus concerning going to games and his brother in laws level of excitement. And if he's not well liked by students, what do we make of people claiming he is such a great teacher?

There is something else here, I'm sure of it.

[Pakuni]

Not to get off topic, but I LOVE Pope Francis. I already think he's amazing, and I'm excited and proud of the Catholic Church.

He's the real deal... I don't need 5 years to know that 

+ a lot

Though I love the notion that some think the Pope is some kind of raging liberal.

[Coleman]

Not to get off topic, but I LOVE Pope Francis. I already think he's amazing, and I'm excited and proud of the Catholic Church.

He's the real deal... I don't need 5 years to know that  

+10000

Good things are happening, folks.

And no, I'm not talking about changing Church teaching on abortion. I'm talking about how we approach the rest of society, by actually engaging with it, rather than condemning it from some high and mighty golden throne.

[chapman]

Not to get off topic, but I LOVE Pope Francis. I already think he's amazing, and I'm excited and proud of the Catholic Church.

He's the real deal... I don't need 5 years to know that 

I agree, and I'm not even Catholic.  I guess that's also part of how he's immensely popular.

[Nukem2]

+10000

Good things are happening, folks.

And no, I'm not talking about changing Church teaching on abortion. I'm talking about how we approach the rest of society, by actually engaging with it, rather than condemning it from some high and mighty golden throne.

Yep, the past posture truly alienates people.  The Church hierarchy needs to realize that the Church is not alone in this world and needs to work with others rather than preaching down to others.

[Archies Bat]

Yep, the past posture truly alienates people.  The Church hierarchy needs to realize that the Church is not alone in this world and needs to work with others rather than preaching down to others.

Need that in Washington too (sorry about the politics).

[tower912]

Francis is a Catholic in whole.   He isn't changing doctrine.   Sins are still sins.    He is reminding Catholics and the world that it is also a sin to ignore the poor, the hungry, the unemployed.    That money isn't a god and that the pursuit of it is not something to be admired.    He is attempting to remind us that the message of the church is God's love and forgiveness for each and every one of us, and not an arbitrary scoreboard of sins.    We are all sinners and it our job as Catholics to forgive other's sins in the same manner in which we ask God to forgive ours.     We are sinners.    There are many sins in this world.    God loves us anyway.  And we should love sinners anyway.  

[PBRme]

You didnt state it explicitly so ill give you the benefit of the doubt, but youre not suggesting we dump tenure to achieve greater efficiency are you?

The notion of tenure is obsolete.  You would need to believe that every person granted tenure would stay on top of there field, not get burned out, lazy, etc.  

The dead wood has to be cleared out periodically or it affects the entire organization and Education is a prime example of this at all levels.

[Pakuni]

The notion of tenure is obsolete.  You would need to believe that every person granted tenure would stay on top of there field, not get burned out, lazy, etc.  

The dead wood has to be cleared out periodically or it affects the entire organization and Education is a prime example of this at all levels.

Tenure doesn't prevent schools from dismissing teachers/professors for poor work performance. That's a complete myth.