Friday, May 15, 1998
Chancellor finds his bearings in Los Angeles
Carnesale uses his first year to become accustomed to
university
By Lawrence Ferchaw
Daily Bruin Contributor
At the same time Chancellor Carnesale has had to deal with
vacant administration positions and the fallout from Proposition
209, he has spent time getting to know the workings of the
university.
Administrators assessing his performance give him good reviews
so far.
"There’s no one who works any harder ensuring UCLA’s future
success," said Winston Doby, vice chancellor of student affairs,
remarking on the chancellor’s seven days a week schedule.
"To his credit, he has made no sweeping judgements or snap
decisions," said Joseph Mandel, vice chancellor of legal
affairs.
Unlike his predecessor, Charles Young, who was familiar with
both the university and the Los Angeles area when appointed,
Carnesale has had to spend time in orientation rather than in
action.
"One of the things about having a new chancellor is you have
many social activities," said Vickie Mays, vice chair of the
Academic Senate.
Carnesale has met with both on and off-campus groups and leaders
to acquaint himself with the university.
Because Carnesale has spent so much time learning the ropes, the
day-to-day internal operations of the university have run without
much of his involvement.
"He’s allowed the internal operations to run without
involvement, which is a sharp contrast with Young," Mandel
said.
"He’s not really as omnipresent."
This is possible, Doby said, because UCLA’s team of vice
chancellors have a lot of experience.
One area where Carnesale has spent much time is filling vacant
administration positions, like executive vice chancellor, and
deanships, like the dean of the law school.
He’s worked to "ensure academic leadership reflects the
excellence he wants to achieve here," Doby added.
Much of Carnesale’s time of late has been devoted to issues
surrounding Proposition 209, and its impact on diversity at UCLA.
Both Mandel and Doby said Carnesale has tried to minimize its
impact.
"He is very, very concerned about the image UCLA has in all
communities," Doby said.
This image has become especially important as the admissions
numbers have put UCLA and the chancellor under the media
spotlight.
Many student groups, though aren’t satisfied with what Carnesale
has done to combat the effects of Proposition 209 and are planning
to protest the inauguration ceremony today.
Doby said he and Carnesale have worked closely to mitigate the
effects of Proposition 209 through outreach, including two trips to
high schools where Carnesale addressed the student audiences and
awarded the new Blue and Gold Scholarships. Carnesale has also made
phone calls to admitted students encouraging them to enroll.
When selected, UC President Richard Atkinson praised Carnesale’s
fund-raising abilities pointing out his success at Harvard
University where he was provost.
Mike Eicher, associate vice chancellor of development, said he
has seen his skills at work.
"He is outgoing, very personable, very easy to meet. He
understands people, and along with a love for the university, he
will lead to success in fund raising," Eicher said.
He also emphasized the work Carnesale has done in the past year
getting to know people in the community. Eicher pointed out that
this kind of relationship building is what fund raising is all
about.
In Carnesale’s first year, Campaign UCLA, the seven-year $1.2
billion fund-raising effort has passed the half-way mark.
To further the fund-raising effort, Carnesale has asked for
help.
"Before faculty was not involved, but he demanded faculty get
involved; he wants our participation," said Chand Viswanathan,
chair of the Academic Senate.
Carnesale has also worked with the senate in choosing a new
executive vice chancellor.
"He was guided by the senate and the faculty," Mays said.
As he learns about UCLA, Mays said Carnesale has been an active
participant in the senate during this first year.
"He’s not a mysterious chancellor. He meets with people; he
tells people things," she added.
With reports by Brian Fishman, Daily Bruin Contributor.