The president's relationship with the University Board of Regents plays an important role in shaping education policies. Former University President James Duderstadt's relationship with the regents was strained in many ways. One of Bollinger's first actions as president was to set up guidlines for faculty and administrators' compensation packages - providing the basis for a trusting relationship between himself and the regents.
The president must also develop strong ties with students to ensure that important decisions receive student input. In his months here, Bollinger has made some contacts with students and student groups - however, his efforts in this area must increase.
Bollinger recently announced that he wants to keep this year's tuition increase low. High tuition can place an unmanageable burden on students - it should increase at a rate equal to or less than inflation. Bollinger should work for a low tuition increase to make the University a viable option for all students.
Campus diversity should remain a priority for Bollinger. Many legislators who view affirmative action as discriminatory challenge it. With declining numbers of minority applicants, Bollinger should ensure that minority students see the University as an educational option. He recently released guidlines for the New Century Fund - supporting the creation of programs that will expand diversity efforts already active on campus.
Threats of future discrimination lawsuits against the University for its affirmative-action policies could weaken the unique learning environment that it fosters. Bollinger must stand behind the use of affirmative action in admissions or risk a serious threat to campus diversity.
Bollinger also worked to increase educational quality at the University. He established a $3 million fund to help the Medical Center attract high quality faculty - an idea that he should expand to include other schools.
New presidents must form their own core group of administrators to support the stability of their administration. Many senior administrators - including Provost J. Bernard Machen - announced that they will leave the University at the conclusion of their present contracts, between four months to a year and a half from now. This change creates an unstable administrative environment. Bollinger must ensure that the administrators are chosen carefully and quickly to restore the administration's stability.
Bollinger's first 100 days show his commitment to developing strong ties with the regents and students - a pattern that must continue to ensure that the University gives the best education possible. At the same time, he should support affirmative-action policies and work for a low tuition cap to make the University available to all qualified students. Bollinger must juggle the many balls of higher education without dropping any to ensure that the University remains a strong educational institution.