Neal prepares to step up into the presidency

"I have several ideas and issues that I would like us to pursue after July 1," Neal said. "I have been rather deeply interested in finding ways for undergraduates to participate more in research."

Neal said he has been talking with the academic program groups and other executive officers to discuss the initiatives.

"The essence of the proposal would be that the University should provide every student the opportunity to participate in some research, scholarly or service activity with a faculty member," Neal said.

"We shouldn't have students graduating from this University and saying they never had a substantial exchange with a faculty member."

LSA Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education David Schoem said Neal has previously expressed an interest in undergraduate education, but he may be better able to accomplish this goal when he is president.

"I certainly support the idea of students working with faculty. The more ways we can identify ways for that to happen, it is great for undergraduate education," Schoem said. "I am sure he'll do great things. The University is moving in that direction anyway."

President James Duderstadt said it would be feasible for Neal to accomplish some of his plans.

"There are ideas he has talked to me about. I wouldn't be surprised if he took them on," Duderstadt said. "In the role of president, he would have the opportunity to do some of them."

While the research proposal seems to be on the top of his list, Neal would not elaborate on his other ideas.

Some projects, he said, will be geared toward short-term changes.

"He has made it clear that he has initiatives he wants to purse," said Vice President for University Relations Walter Harrison.

Harrison said that while Neal may not be able to implement large projects, he does have the power as interim president to make some changes. When former President Robben Fleming served as interim, he constructed the Policy for Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Policy.

"He can get discreet things done," Harrison said. "He can't do something as sweeping as the (Michigan) Mandate or even major construction because these take time. He will pick three or four discreet projects. I don't think he can take on long, involved initiatives."

Neal said he doesn't want the University to be on hold while the search for Duderstadt's successor is in progress.

"One of the biggest challenges is to keep the ship moving forward ... and have the campus in a position where the reigns could be passed on to the next president with minimal disruption," Neal said.

President James Duderstadt said Neal will serve the University well during the transition months.

"They couldn't have picked a finer person to continue the leadership," Duderstadt said.

Among his many presidential duties, Neal said he plans to continue funding discussions with state and local government officials.

"It means going to Washington when appropriate, and, when appropriate, bringing Washington here," Neal said. "I think the state situation at least for 1997 we'll be in pretty good shape before Jim leaves."

Neal said it is difficult to set out definite plans until he receives more input, which he said he will concentrate on more after July 1.

"One of the big challenges is that you never know what will be controversial," he said.

Neal has indicated many times that he has no intention of being a candidate for the permanent position of president. He said he does not want to pursue the job because it would mean the final stage of his professional career.

"That would be the end of my professional life. I am not ready to give it up yet," Neal said. "Someday, I might consider devoting the rest of my life to administration or some other activity."

'U' officials say Neal will bring different traits to post

"When I get a chance to do some physics, I say how great it is that I can do this in my spare time," Neal said.

Neal admitted that he probably won't have much time to spend in his physics laboratory after June 30 when he takes on the job of University president.

He also won't have time to hike through the mountains or sail and canoe on the lake, two of his other extra-curricular activities.

But members of the University administration say they are eager to begin working with Neal, who they say possesses many leadership skills.

"Homer is very easy to communicate with," said Provost J. Bernard Machen. "He is a great communicator."

Neal said his leadership style is very similar to Duderstadt's, especially since both come from backgrounds in science.

"I would not have come over here if some of his style and views weren't similar to mine," Neal said.

Prof. Frederick Neidhardt, who will serve as vice president for research while Neal is president, said he is looking forward to Neal's term.

"I think it will be very good for the University," Neidhardt said. "This University is not going to be on hold while we look around for a permanent president."

Neidhardt said the University will continue to move forward in some areas. He also said Neal's personality will help keep the administration moving during the transition months.

"He is a consensus builder. He is very good at consulting with everyone who will be affected by a change in policy," Neidhardt said. "He has a fantastic sense of humor that helps everyone around him."

Vice President for University Relations Walter Harrison said Neal and Duderstadt may come from similar backgrounds, but they are different "temperamentally."

"Jim makes a decision before you've finished your sentence," Harrison said. "Homer wants to read the whole essay before making a decision."

A Look at Neal

Just the facts:

Born: June 13, 1942, in Franklin, Ky.

Status: Married, two children

Education:

Undergraduate: Bachelor's in physics, with honors, from Indiana University -- June 1961

Graduate: Master's in physics from the University of Michigan -- February, 1963; Doctorate in physics at the University of Michigan -- April 1966

Technical expertise: