Dynamic. Tough. Respected. Fly. These are some of the words student leaders used yesterday to describe Presidential nominee Judith Rodin. Most student leaders said they are familiar with Rodin, currently Yale University's provost, and are confident in her ability. "I'm really impressed with her," said Debra Pickett, president of the Penn Women's Alliance. "I've heard her speak before, and she certainly seems to be someone capable of adjusting to any job." United Minorities Council Chairperson Jun Bang, who sat on the President Search Committee that chose Rodin, praised Rodin's apparent intentions of consulting with students and faculty members before making decisions. "She knows it will be tough for higher education because of cutbacks, but I was pleased that she is determined to get input from students and faculty," Bang said. "Also her background in psychology should help her continue the healing process at Penn." New Interfraternity Council President Hayden Horowitz said although he does not know Rodin personally, he hopes she will be a "visible" figure on campus. "I hope she comes here with an open mind," he said. "Being an alum, she obviously knows a lot of what goes on here?she knows what the Greek system was like when she was here and I'm looking forward to talking to her and establishing a good rapport so that we can all go forth and improve the University." Pickett said she is pleased that Rodin, who would become the first female president of an Ivy League university if approved by the Board of Trustees December 16, is "punching a hole in the glass ceiling." "She seems to be really sensitive to the idea that the face of the Ivy League is changing and that women, especially, are becoming much more a part of the academic community," she said. "I think from the point of view of campus feminism, [former President] Sheldon Hackney really started his tenure with the mishandling of the ATO [rape incident] and ended it with what many consider the mishandling of the water buffalo incident. "I hope that kind of administrative insensitivity will end." Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Seth Hamalian said Rodin appears "sincere." "She seems to be a very sincere individual," he said. "She's someone who's committed to improving the University through concrete changes, as opposed to solely worrying about the 'public image'." UA Vice Chairperson Scott Sher echoed Hamalian's remarks. "Previous administrations have been too worried with public perception. There comes a time when steering a middle course becomes a big problem," he said. "They should realize that the best publicity is good policy."
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