The Interims Rule This Fall

Dartmouth’s Administration enters the 2021-2022 academic year with an ear to the ground. Acutely aware of the criticisms lobbed far and wide concerning its pandemic policies and communications in the preceding year, the Administration now treads carefully, seeking to offend as few as possible via a call-it-as-it-goes approach to the pandemic in lieu of a preestablished plan of action. Such moderation is quite clearly embodied in David Kotz and Scott C. Brown, the interim replacements for former Provost Joseph Heble and former Dean of the College Kathryn Lively, respectively. 

Whereas Heble received some praise for his actions as Provost before departing to become President of Lehigh University, Lively became the subject of criticism among both students and parents. She generated controversy for seeming to communicate only with other administrators in formulating decisions that impacted the entire student body. In the wake of a year of criticism, she tendered her resignation on June 30. An announcement to this effect was not issued publicly until July 19.

Thankfully, Interim Dean Brown does not seem eager to replicate Lively’s missteps. A former Dean of Students at Northern Arizona University, Brown has already made a favorable impression—by making himself an accessible figure on campus. In a message on September 13, he announced regular office hours and expressed his desire to speak personally with students across campus. One Review staffer even saw him conversing with undergraduates at the “Community Lunch on the Green” later that day.

One hopes that Interim Provost David Kotz ’86 can fill the shoes of his predecessor. Provost Heble had, of course, been well regarded among students and parents. The announcement in April of his impending departure even led to an editorial in this paper which lamented the loss of the College’s “single remaining competent administrator.” So far, the Interim Provost has done well in continuing the “Community Conversations” broadcast. We look forward to hearing more from him.

While we at The Review applaud the successes of Fall Term to date and thank the College’s interim administrators for having facilitated a return to some normalcy, we question the scale at which administrators with “Interim” before their titles exercise control over student life. From a standpoint of optics for the College and concern for the Dartmouth Experience that all students deserve, we worry about the impact of these administrators’ impermanence.

The Interim Dean of the College and Interim Provost are among the few high-ranking administrators who will have direct contact with and impact on students during this academic year. The Interim Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Marianne Huger Thomson (appointed alongside Brown), is another. 

Such a rapid turn-over in senior administrators instills little confidence among students, who doubtless wish to see some stability emerge from the Administration. Neither does the presence of three “Interims” in significant positions project strength in recovery from last year’s poor policymaking.

The life of an undergraduate rests on two foundations: one’s peers and one’s classes. Interim Dean Brown rules the former fiefdom, making decisions for everything from the Health Service to Greek Life. Interim Provost Kotz rules the latter and has responsibility “for supporting and advancing all student-related programs,” according to the College. Even under the oversight of President Hanlon, Brown and Kotz exert undeniable control on student life. 

While we have praised their rather pragmatic COVID strategy, their drawn-out decision making has resulted in last-minute confusion and panic. Take, for example, the decision to trim and otherwise modify First-Year Trips mere days before they were set to begin. Or Interim Provost Kotz’s email of September 10, in which he sought to quell rumors that the College would relegate the first weeks of classes to Zoom. But even this message was noncommittal in part, stating that professors with extenuating circumstances could request to move their classes online.

The adoption of careful and considered policymaking by any entity is to be desired and applauded. However, one cannot help but feel that firmer lines should be drawn in the sand.

If the Administration says that a particular event is going to occur, it is unacceptable that there should arise any doubt as to whether the Administration will follow through on its plans. The Administration should stop looking over its shoulder.

A demonstration by the College of prompt and rational decision making will, in our view, help reforge with the student body bonds which have frayed. We recommend that the first way in which the College can demonstrate swift, sane leadership is through swift, sane action: by making interims permanent.

As the Upper Valley returns to a pre-COVID normal, the College must provide students with a stable and continuous Dartmouth Experience. For the students’ sake, hire permanent administrators.