September 17, 2007

Should Students Hire Presidents and Law School Deans?

So the hiring committee for our new law school dean was announced last week. It features one law student. The committee that hired our new university president earlier this year included two students. I'm just throwing this out there and haven't thought much about the topic - but is this really appropriate? Are students in the best position to know what makes a good president or dean? Are they going to be as affected by the choice as faculty, staff or involved alumni? Are they more likely to bend to the whims of other committee members (perhaps those whose patronage could be quite useful to them in the future)? Thoughts?

Posted by armand at September 17, 2007 10:33 AM | TrackBack | Posted to The Academy


Comments

I think a strong argument can be mead that students should have substantial input into the appointment of subordinate deans, whose jobs tend to focus more on student interests, and professors, but with regard to the people heading up schools, given their principal functions as fund- and publicity-raisers, I really don't trust that enough students know the qualities that make for an effective department or university head in today's environment.

Posted by: moon at September 18, 2007 01:36 PM | PERMALINK
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