Turning toward change

In its 129-year history, the University of Idaho has seen 24 presidents, including those who acted in absence of an officially appointed leader.

Of those 24 individuals, all but one have been male — that was in the late-‘80s.

There is no doubt UI is overdue for serious changes on the administrative level. With an athletics department in turmoil, leadership positions being vacated — either voluntarily or otherwise — and a growing student body left to fend for itself, it is time for Idaho’s flagship university to steer the ship toward change.

In early July, Forbes reported 30 percent of American colleges had female presidents, according to 2016 data. While that margin may beat other government funded leaders, like members of congress (20 percent female) and governorship (12 percent female), there is undoubtedly a need for that number to increase.

With revelations reported earlier this year regarding broken Title IX regulations by UI athletics, the university should seek to right past wrongs by looking into drastic cutlure changes. This could mean — and should mean — looking to women and other diverse people to ensure the safety of all athletes and students.

In regard to the athletics department’s misdeeds, one common thread in the fallout and the investigation conducted by external consultants was a lack of communication and transparency. Changes in policy were under-communicated and the policies that did reach administrative officials were underutilized, all to the detriment of students.

The following drama, which carried out in the State Board of Education (SBOE), continued to be draped in ambiguity, with little communication to UI students on what was exactly being done to remedy the situation.

The announcement of UI President Chuck Staben’s eventual departure from his position also came with little notice, leaving many students and staff to question the future of the university. The announcement, sent via email, gave no particular reason for the decision, other than the fact it was “mutual” between him and SBOE.

This same type of behavior simply cannot happen again. Students and staff alike deserve to know as many details as possible regarding the selection of UI’s 25th president. With high turnover in recent years — four presidents since 1996, each serving an average of five years — the development of long-term plans to establish success often go through complete overhauls in less than half a decade.

UI students deserve better. UI staff deserves better. The UI community as a whole deserves much better.

A new chapter in UI’s book is fast approaching. The state board and internal administration of the state’s oldest university should take into consideration the needs of those whose voices are often easily lost in the crowd.

UI deserves change.

­ – BH