What is the Job of a University President?
In a recent survey (registration required) of university presidents across the country, the biggest issues facing them are: financial. It appears that many of our university presidents are feeling as if they are being judged on whether or not they have a balanced budge, not if they are offering quality educational programs. Here are some of the interesting results:
53% said they spend part of every day on fund-raising;
44% said part of every day was spent on budgets and finance;
41% said they spend part of their day on educational leadership; and only
28% said they spend part of every day on student life matters.
I doubt many would argue with me that something here seems entirely off-center. While I will concede that universities are being held much more accountable these days (rightfully so) for their spending habits, it seems that the mission of the average american university is being lost in all of this. Universities exist to prepare, train, and serve students. The opposite is not true: students are not there to make sure the budget is balanced!
So what is the role of the university president? What can, and should, these men and women do differently? And how can servant-leadership play a part in it all?
53% said they spend part of every day on fund-raising;
44% said part of every day was spent on budgets and finance;
41% said they spend part of their day on educational leadership; and only
28% said they spend part of every day on student life matters.
I doubt many would argue with me that something here seems entirely off-center. While I will concede that universities are being held much more accountable these days (rightfully so) for their spending habits, it seems that the mission of the average american university is being lost in all of this. Universities exist to prepare, train, and serve students. The opposite is not true: students are not there to make sure the budget is balanced!
So what is the role of the university president? What can, and should, these men and women do differently? And how can servant-leadership play a part in it all?
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