The University should now move ahead after the resignation of a man who skillfully fulfilled the responsibilities of numerous positions. Harrison dedicated himself to the University and beautifully mastered his position. He left the University with a stronger sense of how to maintain university relations with the outside community. With Harrison's legacy in mind, the University now strives to continue its excellence in practicing its public relations.
As the University faces challenges to its academic reputation, it is essential that faculty and students realize the importance of the University's public relations needs. With the two lawsuits filed against the University challenging its stance on affirmative action and a commitment of diversity, it is critical that the University continue to reaffirm its position as a high-quality institution of higher education. The very nature of the Center for Individual Rights public-attack tactics necessitate the need for a strong link between the University and the nation. The University must continue to take pride in all of its achievements, even in the negative light of legal squabbles.
Further, the administration must endeavor to fill these positions quickly. All nominations are subject to approval by the University Board of Regents, and should be addressed as quickly as possible. The lawsuits and the ever-present need to lobby government officials for state appropriations make the vacancies in University relations hazardous to the campus's academic future.
Moving through the usual steps in appointing such officers would be prudent and ensure that the University is able to fulfill its responsibilities.
By clearly defining the positions of the new officers, University relations will possess more efficiency and a stronger focus. As Cynthia Wilbanks, one of the nominees for the office of vice president for University relations in charge of government relations, stated, "I think that the focus of this position really allows you to work from the recognition that this is an important enterprise."
By splitting the responsibilities among three offices - government relations, media relations and University secretary -the University will operate in a fashion similar to other universities of comparable size. A university as prestigious and respected as the University of Michigan has significant public relations needs that Bollinger has addressed and that the administration needs to quickly fill.