University Business - September 2010 - (Page 63)

INDEPENDENT OUTLOOK The Joys of the College Presidency A challenging, yet satisfying, job By Richard Ekman R ENEWED EFFORTS WILL be needed in the days ahead to prepare the next generation of campus leaders. e average age of college and university presidents is about 60; a wave of retirements over the next ﬁve to 10 years is inevitable. e ranks of chief academic oﬃcers—the traditional proving ground of candidates for presidencies—appear to be less promising as a source for the next cohort of presidents because the average age of CAOs is 57. Despite a recent report from the Council of Independent Colleges that found very high levels of job satisfaction among CAOs, they have, paradoxically, served on average only 4.7 years in their current positions (and just 4.3 years for CAOs within CIC). Moreover, CAOs are not much interested in assuming the top campus spot—with only 27 percent of all CAOs saying they aspire to become a college president (within CIC colleges, even fewer, 24 percent express this view). Search consultants add that, except for highly prestigious institutions, the number of candidates for most presidencies is smaller today than it once was. e declining appeal of the college presidency is an urgent issue. Public opinion these days debunks long-established institutions and questions the legitimacy of almost all authority, including college presidents. When criticized for poor performance or overly generous compensation, the responses by presidents have often been to emphasize the diﬃculties of the job—long hours; evening events with alumni, parents, and donors; too much travel; life in a ﬁshbowl for the family; and little authority to act unilaterally. Presidents have the opportunity to weave personal values into one’s work to an unusual degree. What doesn’t get emphasized often enough is how satisfying the president’s job can be—at best, how the joys of the presidency more than compensate for its frustrations. Consider, ﬁrst, that the cause of higher education is itself a lofty mission. To devote oneself professionally to an enterprise that helps other people equip themselves for future lives of success, satisfaction, and civic responsibility inspires idealism and is of clear societal value. Second, presidents do have the opportunity to craft, then to act on the basis of an idealized vision for the institution—to weave personal values into one’s work to an unusual degree. ird, leading is usually more satisfying than following—presidents may lie awake at night because every detail of campus life is ultimately their responsibility, but that is generally preferable to midnight anxiety over one’s boss’ ﬁtful indecision. Faculty members’ disdain for much of what crowds a president’s daily schedule is often based on stereotypes that are not valid. ese misconceptions are understandable because faculty members rarely have a chance to observe the president close at hand, engaged in the details of his or her work. It’s much more worrisome that many chief academic oﬃcers also subscribe to some of these stereotypes. Seven of 10 CAOs are not interested in the presidency, mainly because they ﬁnd the nature of the work unappealing. ey believe, for example, that raising money for the college is inherently unpleasant work. In fact—most presidents will say—having the chance to engage inﬂuential outsiders in the college and to persuade those outsiders to become equally committed to the cause is usually a rewarding experience. Another stereotype is that most donors do not understand the sophisticated world of academe, so college presidents must spend a lot of time talking Richard Ekman is president of the Council of Independent Colleges, www.cic.org. September 2010 | 63 universitybusiness.com http://www.cic.org http://www.universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - September 2010

University Business - September 2010
Contents
Editor's Note
College Index
Company Index
Advisory Board
Behind the News
Viewpoint
Financial Aid
Sense of Place
Internet Technology
Approaching Admissions Today
Three to Degree
Have College Brands Delivered on Their Promise?
Honoring Efficiency
EduComm 2010 Roundup
View from the Summit
Independent Outlook
What's New
End Note

University Business - September 2010