While Boston University still seems far from finding a new president, the Board of Trustees found its new chairman, unanimously electing Christopher A. Barreca last Thursday. Although Barecca’s selection seems to be the safe option that will continue BU’s old-guard tradition, the new chairman has an opportunity to help renew the university with a forward-looking perspective during the presidential search.
Barreca deserves respect for his commitment to the school since his graduation in 1953, and the 74-year-old Connecticut lawyer should have extensive knowledge about BU and its operations after serving as a trustee for about 29 years. However, The Boston Globe called Barreca ‘a staunch ally of Chancellor John Silber,’ and his selection does not necessarily bode well for BU’s chance to move forward with fresh blood.
As the new chairman of the board, Barreca’s top priority is the presidential search, and he must stand by his commitment to make it a national search. Barreca should also look for strong, independent candidates who would offer different perspectives about running the university much as John Silber did more than 30 years ago. While choosing someone for such an important position should not be rushed, it does need to move forward as quickly as possible. Furthermore, the trustees must openly communicate with the BU community about the search’s progress.
The former president of the Alumni Association and recipient of the Alumni Award in 1984, Barreca also has connections that can help improve BU’s decrepit alumni relations. Improving relations will not only give BU a better image, but can also pump much-needed funds into the struggling endowment and assist the university’s long-term development plans.
Choosing Barreca as the new chairman may prove to be a wise choice. His long record of involvement with BU represents the dedication its leaders need and hopefully will keep Barreca in the position longer than his predecessor, Richard DeWolfe, who resigned after less than two years as chairman. Barreca will give BU the stability necessary to hold the school together as it reorganizes its leaders, but he must also strive beyond the comfortable traditions of BU’s leadership.
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