Of the numerous and wide-ranging contributions Goldenberg has made, many have been positive and welcome improvements for LSA as well as for the University as a whole. Goldenberg worked closely and collaborated with deans from the other colleges of the University to share and integrate ideas. With a focus on quality, Goldenberg rebuilt many undergraduate programs as well as improving faculty recruitment and retention, while completing the most successful fund-raising campaign to increase the college's endowment.
Because of these and other achievements, Goldenberg became one of five finalists in the 1996 search for a new University president. But she is better known among much of the University community for declining her candidacy when the names of the candidates were forced into the public eye by the Open Meetings Act.
Other aspects of Goldenberg's tenure were controversial as well. While the implementation of many of her initiatives benefited the University and LSA students, the same initiatives neglected other parts of the University. Goldenberg greatly expanded and improved entire departments, such as the sciences, within LSA. But at the same time, departments such as communication studies and the journalism program were ignored and under budgeted.
Goldenberg instituted the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and increased the amount and quality of undergraduate seminars. Her expansion of many of the living-learning communities, aided by the Division of Student Affairs was premature, and has consequently led to underdeveloped, yet overly ambitious programs.
But in spite of controversy Edie Goldenberg's years as LSA dean were filled with projects and initiatives that changed and shaped the University; her contributions to the University were substantial and significant. As the University administration begins its selection process to find Goldenberg's replacement, it should keep in mind the many benefits and problems that made up her tenure. LSA is the largest school at the University and the decisions pertaining to its running - facilitated by the dean -affect many students. LSA must continue to grow in the same manner that it did during her stay.