For 12 years, ever the politician

During his 12-year tenure as the University's president, Sheldon Hackney has acquired a reputation as a steady and solid, if not inspirational, leader. While at the University, Hackney has become known for trying to build consensus on most issues confronting the University, rarely taking controversial stands himself. Yesterday, Hackney admitted that he tends to seek consensus and compromise -- except when it comes to things "at the absolute core of the University's mission," such as open expression, academic freedom and academic integrity. "It's true that I do not think that compromise is a dirty word," he said. After University Council voted in 1991 to kick the Reserve Officer Training Corps off campus, Hackney said he would rather see ROTC stay -- but he lobbied to change the Defense Department's policy stating that homosexuality is inconsistent with military service. Few were probably happier than Hackney when Bill Clinton promised that, as president, he would reverse the military's ban on gays, because it meant that the White House would take Hackney off the hook. "Now I don't have to decide between the two good sides of that question," Hackney said last night. Another telling episode occurred in 1990 after protesters on Hackney's lawn urged the University to post bail for then-Wharton student Christopher Clemente, who had been arrested on drugs and weapons possession charges in New York. Hackney stuck to the University's policy of not posting bail for students who have been arrested, but Hackney, who was concerned about Clemente's safety in prison, made a personal contribution to his bail fund. And when Hackney created a Diversity on the Walk Committee in September 1990, he immediately issued specific instructions to the committee not to recommend removing fraternities. In many ways, it was a typical Hackney decision -- change is necessary, but nothing too radical. Emeritus Finance Professor Morris Mendelson said he disagreed with Hackney's stance on ROTC, and that he thinks Hackney is moving too slowly on the walk diversity issue. But he added that Hackney's position as president forces him to look at the big picture and weigh all the possible effects of his actions and statements. "[Hackney] was worried about [ROTC] students losing scholarships," Mendelson said. Former Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Jeff Lichtman also said he disagreed with Hackney's stance on ROTC, but added that there were "times when it was in his best interest and in the best interest of the University to act as a compromiser and facilitator." Former United Minorities Council President You-Lee Kim, while criticizing Hackney for not taking bolder stands on issues, praised him for "keeping the school together on divisive issues." She said that while she feels Hackney may have "passed up a lot of opportunities to be a daring leader" and opted to play it safe, "it isn't necessarily the worst thing to do." Faculty Senate Chairperson David Hildebrand said he does not think a university president is obligated to -- or should -- take vocal stands on every issue. "I don't think a university president, as a representative of a very complicated group of people, should be taking simple-minded stands on every political issue that comes down the pike," Hildebrand said. Hackney, he said, "recognized complexity a lot better than many of his critics did," although Hildebrand added that he has not always agreed with Hackney's positions. "Did I always agree with his stands?" he said. "Ha!" Hildebrand said he believes that Hackney has been an integral part of promoting civil discourse on campus. "[Hackney has been] a very important part of keeping this place a campus of learning as opposed to one of political sloganeering," Hildebrand said. Hildebrand added that he thinks Hackney's unique style is simply a part of him. "Would Hackney have been better off with a different style?" Hildebrand asked. "If frogs had wings, could they catch flies better? He is what he is."

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