Dive Brief:
- University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler announced Friday he will resign in July 2019, citing the "incredibly demanding" nature of the job that occupies "essentially seven days a week, evenings and nights included," the Chronicle of Higher Education reported.
- Kaler pointed out in his resignation announcement that his eight-year tenure has exceeded the national average for college presidents, and said the university could benefit from "a fresh perspective." He will stay on as president emeritus for one year following his resignation to help with fundraising efforts.
- The Chronicle article recalled a high-profile protest from the Minnesota football team in which players threatened to sit out a bowl game and a sexual assault scandal among the turmoil Kaler faced during his time as president.
Dive Insight:
In a 2017 survey by the American Council on Education, 44% of college presidents cited the lack of time to think and reflect as a key frustration. And though a 2018 survey by Inside Higher Ed and Gallup found most presidents believe they were well prepared to handle various presidential tasks, most believe "attention to affordability, institutional wealth and student amenities has created misperceptions that contribute to the lack of understanding."
Still, presidents are spending less and less time in their positions. Scrutiny is high in an environment where every word or action could become fodder for social media debate, and resources are low. Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn resigned this week after a set of emails was released suggesting his support for allocating more money to the university's smaller, but growing Evansville campus, causing much uproar and straining relationships with board members.
The Inside/Gallup study noted that while 63% of presidents surveyed believe their institutions are financially strong, nearly all expect an increase in mergers and closures in the coming years. And 13% see their institutions merging or closing in the next five years, a further testament to the decline in resources across the board.