MILBANK MEMORIAL FUND

1 EAST 75TH STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10021

 

ROBERT H. EBERT, m.. [212] 570-4806
PRESIDENT

December 1, 1980

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
President

The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10021

Dear Joshua:

As you may know, Barnard College is engaged in a search for a new President, and
I solicit your help in identifying suitable candidates for the position,

Barnard is unique among Colleges for women in that it has its own student body,
its own faculty and its own curriculum, but is affiliated with a large and prestigious
university. Despite any rumors you may have heard to the contrary, the Barnard Board of
Trustees is as determined as ever to maintain the autonomy of the College while continuing
its traditional association with Columbia University. Barnard is primarily concerned with
undergraduate education; Columbia shares that interest but in addition is greatly interested
in research and graduate education. Given these overlapping but differing missions it is
not surprising that there are areas of conflict. One has to do with Columbia University
policies concerning promotion to tenure since all Barnard faculty members hoid Columbia
appointments; another has to do with the sharing of resources at the undergraduate level
and the opportunities for coeducational experience under the present arrangements.

None of these problems is insolvable but accommodation to the complex inter-
relationship between Barnard and Columbia requires an open and continuing dialogue at the
administrative level as well as at faculty and Board levels. Indeed no permanent solutions
are likely to be found unless the two administrations can work cooperatively together for
the long term.

It is evident from what I have said that the presidency of Barnard poses a very
Special challenge. Not only are we seeking a person with the usual human qualities which
one would like in a college president and with familiarity with that part of the academic
world which concerns itself with undergraduate education, but we need someone who is a
skilled negotiator as well. This means someone mature in attitude if not in years, com-
fortable working with others, capable of dealing with conflict without personalizing it,
and willing to accept some administrative ambiguity so long as it does not interfere with
the mission of the College. These are qualities much more important at this time than formal /
Management skills.

The Search Committee would be most grateful for any help you can give us. We wel-
come advice -- even criticism -- and we would appreciate the names of candidates you think
would be suitable for the Presidency of Barnard.

spre VY
RHE: baj obert H. Ebert, M.D.
Chairman of the Presidential Search Committee