Cambridge to California

Friday, March 7, 1997REACTION:

University’s students feel indifferent to provost’s
appointmentBy Marie Blanchard

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Very little reaction followed Thursday’s
announcement that university Provost Albert Carnesale would be
leaving Harvard in July to become the next chancellor of UCLA.

While students filed past a Harvard cafeteria dining hall, most
faces went blank when asked how they felt about the departure of
their provost.

"Is that the guy who was on the front page of the Harvard
Crimson (student newspaper) today?" asked Michael Barrett, a
third-year music student.

Generally, most undergraduate students said that they had little
to no interaction with the provost and wouldn’t be affected by the
loss.

"I’m indifferent as are most of the students here," said Todd
Summers, a public administration graduate student at the John F.
Kennedy School of Government, of which Carnesale was once dean.

The most common connection that Harvard students made with the
provost was his substitution for Harvard President Neil L.
Rudenstine during a health-related absence.

When Rudenstine left his post in the spring of 1995 pleading
exhaustion, Carnesale took over the presidency and managed his own
duties as provost for three months while Rudenstine recovered.

Harvard community members claim that Carnesale handled the
situation ably, performing both duties more than adequately.

"He’s a very capable person," said Scott Coleman, a graduate
student of public policy. "It must have been hard for him to
continue as the dean of the Kennedy School and cover for the
president, but he did a good job,"

Comments from Harvard students were not always lauding, however.
Many pointed out his previous run-ins with campus labor concerns
over the past year.

"Basically, he’s a good administrator, but I’ve had some
problems with him on the way he’s handled the labor disputes on
campus over the last year," said fourth-year history of science
student Megan Peimer.

"I e-mailed him in November and his secretary e-mailed me back
this nasty note saying that students do not understand the
situations Carnesale is dealing with," she said. "He really doesn’t
welcome input from students," Peimer continued, adding she was glad
he was moving on to UCLA.

But faculty members who have worked with Carnesale for years all
agreed that they were going to miss him.

"Many people in the department are very sorry to see him go,"
said Zvi Griliches, a professor at the Kennedy School.

"People really like him. He’s competent and although he became
provost very quickly, he actually did quite well," Griliches
said.

Others echoed the sentiment that UCLA’s gain was a great loss
for many faculty members at the world-renowned university.

"I think it’s a great loss for Harvard and a great gain for
UCLA," said Joseph Nye, Carnesale’s successor as dean of the
Kennedy School of Government.

"Carnesale is absolutely terrific, He did a great job at the
Kennedy School, a fine job as provost and we’ll miss him."

CONTINUED COVERAGE: Cambridge to California

Harvard Provost Albert Carnesale named UCLA’s eighth
chancellor

CARNESALE: Young’s successor praised by most campus leaders

REACTION: Carnesale’s impact on governance, access prompts
worries

COMMUNITY: Praise for fundraising, business skills offset
concerns about outsider status

CAMBRIDGE: University’s students feel indifferent to provost’s
appointment

LEADERS: UCLA Leaders through the yearsPAST COVERAGE: Search for
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Uneasiness follows chancellor’s announcement

Young plans active retirement

New UC chancellors appointed

UCLA faculty holds forum to honor retiring chancellor

Chancellor finalists confirmed

Benefit dinner honor’s chancellor’s 29 years of service

New chancellor to be announced Thrusday

Carnesale next chancellor