Provost candidate talks
about future
By Laura Pelner
Campus
Editor
The second candidate for provost admitted on Monday
that he does not know what the future of research universities, or Purdue,
is.
Gary Schuster, the dean of the College of Sciences
at Georgia Institute of Technology, said he was concerned when he found
out he had to address people from the Purdue community about the future
of research universities and Purdue University.
Though he said he did not know the future, Schuster
said he is sure of one thing. "I'm sure the future is going to be different
than the past," said Schuster.
The provost will work as the chief academic officer
of the University and will replace Robert Ringel, the executive vice
president for academic affairs, when Ringel retires in June.
Schuster also said that the mission of a university
should have three parts to assure the continuation of knowledge. "To
preserve knowledge, to transmit the knowledge and to create new knowledge
(is essential)."
He said that knowledge resides in a university's
faculty and that the teachers are responsible for giving that knowledge
to others.
"At its core, a research university is an academic
place focused on teaching and knowledge," said Schuster. "A university
can't be successful unless the faculty, students and alumni are successful."
Though no students were there, more than 50 professors
and faculty members attended Schuster's open forum. After Schuster's
opening presentation, the audience asked him questions about his personal
experiences and opinions.
Leah Jamieson, a professor of electrical engineering,
asked Schuster what he would do to recruit and retain women and minorities.
"Recruiting women and minority faculty should not
be different than recruiting those in the majority," said Schuster.
"A university should want people who share the same core value - excellence.
The best way to attract (women and minorities) is to provide them with
the opportunity to succeed."
Allan Konopka, a professor of biological sciences,
asked Schuster what he would do to follow up with faculty members and
make sure their opinions are heard.
"You don't start by saying 'no'," said Schuster.
He also said that meeting with the faculty would
be important when making decisions that affect their work. "We need
to ask 'what do we want Purdue to be?'" said Schuster. "It won't be
a shared view. Part of making choices is saying what we will and won't
do."
Schuster said he thinks the role of the humanities
in a university is crucial because they are part of any student's core
education.
About the staff, Schuster said that no university
could function without a dedicated and committed one. "(Those on the)
staff are real people too," said Schuster.
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