Last week, Emporia State University President Michael Lane said that he withdrew his name for consideration for president of Millikin University in Illinois. This brought an end to two weeks of community conversations debating whether Lane would stay or go.
Listening to the conversations, we were surprised at how raw people’s feelings were about the president and his performance. From his close confidants to students and faculty, everyone had an opinion.
Clearly, the president is under a microscope, and the stakes for the university couldn’t be higher.
The president has been at the helm for only four short years, and much of that time he has been grappling with unprecedented economic woes that forced him to make drastic cuts. The recession has kept donors from giving to the Foundation. On top of all that, the university's enrollment has been flat.
During all this, Lane helped orchestrate a major renovation to the Memorial Union launching. There have been many, however, who have asked whether those efforts to get that project done took efforts away from other strategic areas of the university.
Lane had never been a university president before coming to ESU. Without previous presidential experience, he had a steep learning curve to learn the job, figure out the expectations and to get a staff in place.
Now, the university should really be poised for growth. Lane has some experience under his belt, a staff is in place, the recession is over and with a former ESU alum, Gary Sherrer, as Regent chairman, things should really begin happening.
In announcing his withdrawal from Millikin consideration, Lane said he wants to stay at ESU and work on the strategic vision and fundraising.
Those sound like good things. But it would also be beneficial for university administrators to spend time listening to university staff, students, community and Regents. Then, the administration should reaffirm that it has a plan to make Emporia State University a standout and vital institution in the Regent system.
Chris Walker
Editor & Pulblisher
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Damn! I can't think of a better plan for ESU's growth and success than for Lane to leave.
November 8, 2010 at 6:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Chris,
The recession is over?
November 9, 2010 at 6:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
You can't recruit students if you keep churning your faculty. You can't increase salaries if you put the money into signage, or unnecessary executive travel or a kitchen remodel. You can't build your faculty if you ignore their ideas, crush their dreams, stymie their progress, insult their achievements. It's going to take more than a pizza party to rebuild the trust in the administrative branch of this academic institution.
November 17, 2010 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )