Steve Brauntuch: Advice for the new president's first few days

Over the past few days, several people have told me that I was too harsh on Amy Gutmann in my column last week. They said it's not fair to judge how she will perform before she takes office, regardless of her qualifications for the position. Or at least that's what I think they said. I was so happy they bothered to read the column that I may have tuned out the criticism. But that's beside the point.

This week, I thought I'd change my tune and offer some free advice for our new fearless leader before she moves into College Hall this July. So, as an outgoing senior with some inside knowledge about the workings of this school, I'd like to take the remainder of this column to address Amy Gutmann directly. I just hope she's not boycotting me.

Dear Dr. Gutmann,

Congratulations! You've been named president of one of the top five schools in the country. I know we're not in the top three like your current employer, but we're working on it.

Since you're pretty new to West Philly, I thought I might be able to help you out in setting priorities for your first 100 days in office. Penn can be a tricky place for newcomers -- as a former Penn president will tell you, it's a far cry from Princeton. So aside from the obvious stuff (leave the orange and black clothing, bring the Springsteen CDs), here are a couple of ideas:

1. Find some role players. Cleaning house upon your arrival would be a really bad idea, especially because you're going to need some people who can hold down the fort while you get accustomed to the new setting. But the first item on your agenda has to be filling the holes in the administration that will exist when you take office. Some are already gaping (executive vice president, head of fundraising, chief investment officer, chief of staff), and perhaps a few others will open up by the end of June (provost).

Your best bet is to avoid bringing in any more outsiders to fill these posts. Some can be filled internally. And you should look within the confines of Philadelphia to find some candidates for the business side, because they won't have a problem transitioning. Familiarity with this school and this city is key for all of these administrative positions. Oh, and with regard to the business side, look for people with business experience. Trust me on that one.

2. Stay the course. I know you've got some ambitious plans, especially with regard to financial aid and diversity on campus. And there's a place for those ideas within the structure of the strategic plan. But before you make promises about what you will and won't do, take a look at what's already in place and tweak as you see fit.

The last strategic plan was a huge success, and while the new one looks a lot more cloudy and vague, chances are, it will take this school in the right direction. Especially in your first 100 days, small adjustments will go over much better than wholesale changes. That being said, make your voice heard if you see something that isn't working, because no matter what your qualifications, you're going to have to prove yourself worthy of your title.

3. Meet some students. And not just through focus groups and staged lunches. There are more than a handful of students who want to see their president walking down Locust Walk during the day, asking them how things are going. Whether it means staying for a full football game or going to a student group performance, you've got to make your presence felt on campus. Not with a photographer or the Undergraduate Assembly president or another administrator. Just you. Easier said than done, I know, but it's more important than you'd think.

4. Read The Daily Pennsylvanian. Here's my self-serving message. You've already said that you're very concerned about the attitudes and behaviors of students. There's no better way to get a feel for this campus than by reading the DP every day from now until you arrive. I know the president of our country doesn't read the newspaper, but whether it's crime or Greek life or the health system, the vast majority of students on this campus only hear about it through the pages of this newspaper. It's worth a look every morning, even if you're like the majority of my friends who skip over my column to get to the crossword puzzle.

I'm certainly not an expert, but I think I speak for almost everyone here when I say that you've got a very tough act to follow. If you surround yourself with the right people and learn from Dr. Rodin's successes and missteps, you'll do just fine. Good luck, and if you need anything, I'm here to help.

Steve Brauntuch is a senior communications major from Tenafly, N.J., and former editorial page editor of The Daily Pennsylvanian. Statler and Waldorf appears on Wednesdays..

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