The News reported this week that David Luzzi, Dean of the College of Engineering, is leaving his position to become Northeastern’s Strategic Security Initiative executive director. He is the fourth dean at Northeastern University to step down in one year, marking a grave problem in the direction of the school’s administration and leadership.
Northeastern is shooting up in national university rankings, but it seems as we race forward, they are leaving their values and continuity behind.
In 2003, the College of Business Administration Dean Ira Weiss resigned. Jim Stellar, dean of the former College of Arts and Sciences, resigned in 2008. Dean and director of university libraries, Edward Warro, resigned in 2007. Emily Spieler, dean of the School of Law resigned in September of this year. Thomas Moore, dean of the College of Business Administration, stepped down in January. Though Moore left due to health reasons, this is a long list regardless.
In December 2010 Stephen Zoloth, dean of the Bouve College of Health Sciences, resigned. He was recently replaced by Dr. Terry Fulmer, who came from New York University’s School of Nursing, according to a Sept. 1 article in the Boston Globe.
In July 2010 Northeastern’s colleges were restructured, and out of that came three new schools, with three new deans.
Dr. J. Murray Gibson is the founding dean of the newly created College of Science. Most recently, he was a director at Argonne National Laboratory, The News reported in June of last year. His background, though distinguished, also does not include Northeastern.
The News also reported on Dr. Xavier Costa, who was appointed founding dean of the College of Arts, Media and Design around the same time. Costa was the dean of the Elisava Design School at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain. Note that he does not have a background that includes Northeastern either.
Not surprisingly, the third dean appointed to the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. Georges Van Den Abbeele doesn’t have a history at the university, either.
Of course, students and staff alike want to have a diverse and distinguished individuals leading the school – but shouldn’t it be comprised of old and new huskies alike? Staff members that are alumni or that have been with the university for a while bring a greater understanding of Northeastern – and some sense of continuity.
In July, The News reported that Jim Madigan was named as the new men’s ice hockey coach. Madigan is a 1985 graduate of Northeastern. He has also held many other positions at Northeastern University, including assistant coach and associate dean with the College of Business Administration.
In this same article, The News quoted Athletic Director Peter Roby. It read: “You can’t get someone to make a donation if they don’t trust you,” Roby said, speaking to Madigan’s work in university development. “It’s not really different than recruiting – you’re selling the institution. You’re talking about someone who’s had a 30-year relationship with Northeastern, and every step of the way, he’s proven his passion, commitment, dedication and to the institution.”
Why not look for the same passion, commitment and dedication when appointing deans? Maybe then they would stay a little bit longer.
Ed Klotzbier, former vice president for student affairs, had been with the university 10 years as staff. He was vice president of student affairs for eight years and director of university communications for two. He also graduated from Northeastern in 1987. He was a familiar and popular face to many students on campus, and as of June was missing from the administration.
The point is, the university is rapidly growing, and things are changing at the same pace. To lose so many deans in such a short period of time is troublesome – and that a lot of them have no affiliation with the university is even worse. Let’s slow it down, Northeastern.
