The lights at Lee Bollinger's residence on 815 S. University Ave. glow into the wee hours of the morning.
With 18 days under his belt as University president, Bollinger's range of activities has stretched from hockey games to Congressional breakfasts. Bollinger said the scope of activity on and off campus has kept him working late into the night.
"Busy and exciting - that basically sums it up," Bollinger said. "It's been full and rich. I have been working from early in the morning until late at night."
Bollinger officially took office as University president on Feb. 1. During the past two weeks, he has been meeting with federal, state and University leaders to gain a greater understanding of the campus.
"I certainly have a clearer vision of my objectives," Bollinger said. "It is still going to take me months to know what I want to accomplish."
While his work has taken him as far away as Washington, D.C., Bollinger's vision has also turned to University Hospitals in Ann Arbor.
In accordance with his effort to maintain academic excellence in the University Medical Center, Bollinger said he has allocated $3 million for the purpose of retaining and recruiting the very best faculty.
"The Medical Center has been under such stringent financial conditions with the general policy of reducing the budget, downsizing and hiring freeze. As an academic, that situation makes me nervous," Bollinger said.
The fund will function to end the hiring freeze in the University Medical Center, Bollinger said.
"Still the overriding purpose of the Medical Center is to fulfill teaching and research functions in the medical school and related topics," Bollinger said.
While many students still may not recognize the new president on the street, Michigan Student Assembly President Fiona Rose said Bollinger has made his presence felt on campus.
"You can feel it in the air," Rose said. "People are happy. He has been welcomed with open arms. I think there has been a discernable change on campus.
"He has made it his primary goal to get out and meet people. He is out in the community doing things."
Bollinger said his first priority has been creating and sustaining relationships with the University Board of Regents, executive officers, deans and faculty.
"I said at the beginning that I would begin by working with the main bodies and groups that have a large stake in the University," Bollinger said. "First it was the regents. I've been working closely with the regents, meeting with each of them individually."
Regent Andrea Fischer Newman (R-Ann Arbor) said she has met with Bollinger twice already. For only two weeks on the job, she said she has no complaints.
"What he's done is talk," Newman said. "He is definitely in charge. He is definitely president of the University. He has an incredible memory for detail. He is extremely organized. When he is speaking to you, he knows the issues."
Today Bollinger is scheduled to meet with leaders in the state Legislature. He said he hopes to continue to build relationships he has already formed with Gov. John Engler and state representatives. Last week he traveled to Washington D.C. to attend a Congressional breakfast.
Bollinger said his relationship with Engler has been "excellent" during their three meetings.
"He informed me more or less what his plans are," Bollinger said. "He's trying to balance very competing needs. I admire what he is trying to do here. He is very committed to higher education."
Chemistry Prof. Thomas Dunn, who chairs the faculty's governing body, said Bollinger is still examining the important topics on campus.
"He still more or less is looking at the issues," Dunn said. "He hasn't announced any big plans that I am aware of. ... You don't start with a great big fanfare. He is just getting out and meeting people, getting ideas and getting his ideas out."
In a time when health care is changing nationwide, the University Medical Center also has begun a process of restructuring and transforming. Bollinger said the University Medical Center is a primary concern.
"I told them that I put the issue of the Medical Center at the very top of the list of things I am going to focus on," Bollinger said. "I care deeply about the issues of the Medical Center. The main goal is to maintain and improve academic excellence."
In September, former interim President Homer Neal announced the creation of a position to oversee functions of the School of Medicine and University Hospitals. This new position, the executive vice president for medical affairs, has yet to be filled.
Bollinger said he has worked closely with the search committee to outline the responsiblities of this position.
"Because this is a new position and it is an extremely powerful one, everyone is very interested in what will happen. I have been meeting with those involved," Bollinger said.
Bollinger said he hopes the position will be filled by September.
"I did not want us to act as if we are in a holding pattern, waiting for the new vice president to be found," Bollinger said. "It is too easy to lose ourselves in that. I have authorized interim Dean Lorris Betz to really act as he sees necessary for preserving academic quality."
Bollinger said he is always talking and listening to people.
"I met with all of the deans, each of the vice presidents and officers - individually and together," Bollinger said. "As soon as possible I need to indicate which directions I want these offices to move in."
Bollinger said he has played host to a handful of faculty dinners at his residence.
He has also met with the chancellors of the Flint and Dearborn campuses and a group of students in the Women in Science and Engineering residence hall program.
MSA President Fiona Rose said she has discussed many concerns with Bollinger.
"We discussed a number of issues involving students and student fees," Rose said. "We talked about the cost of education, equal opportunity for women and minorities and the quality of undergraduate education. It was a very comprehensive discussion.
"He is sympathetic to our needs as far as cost is concerned," Rose continued. "I am confident he will remain mindful of this and put more money towards financial aid."
One student said he doesn't see anything different about the University under Bollinger.
"I haven't noticed a change in anything in the last few weeks," said LSA first-year student Jason Fletcher. "I am sure there are administrative decisions he has impact on. As far as the average students are concerned, I don't think (he has that much impact)."