Spanier's agenda promotes playoffs, humanitarianism

By ERIN STROUT
Collegian Staff Writer

University President-elect Graham Spanier seems laid-back, though upbeat -- he is poised and calm, answering the storm of questions he has been bombarded with during the blur of the last five days.

After Spanier was named the University's 16th president in Hershey this weekend, the Penn State community's curiosity was stimulated about this stranger from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

He came in rumored to be a liberal promoting a social agenda, but a closer look reveals that Spanier has ideas about everything from a football playoff system to academics.

Spanier said the rumors of his liberalism came from a minority voice in Nebraska. He also said the Pennsylvania media collectively talked to only two people who felt that way.

Nebraska Student Body President and Student Regent Andrew Loudon said last week that Spanier is strong in academics, but has a big social agenda including pro-affirmative action and pro-homosexual rights focuses.

But Spanier said he does not feel that his views make him a liberal.

"There are things I feel deeply about like equity and social justice," Spanier said. "It's important for me to be a part of a University where all people feel comfortable -- that's not liberal versus conservative -- that's just a basic humanitarian concept.

"If I didn't think the fit was good, I wouldn't have come to Penn State."

But Spanier can be considered open to the public's curiosities --when he arrives at the University he plans to disclose his full contract, including his salary and tenure.

"In the spirit of openness, if that's what people want to know, it would be all right with me to say what my contract is," Spanier said.

But University Board of Trustees member Marian U. Coppersmith Fredman said although she dislikes labels, she will agree Spanier is far less conservative than his predecessors.

"In leading our institution --there's a right person for the right time," Coppersmith Fredman said.

Because Spanier is from a different generation than past University presidents, he might be reflected as being more liberal, Coppersmith Fredman said. Spanier, 46, has two young children and a wife who is a professional.

"It may be the first time at Penn State that the spouse has her own career," Coppersmith Fredman said. "He's a 'new millenium' president."

Sandra Spanier is currently an English professor at the University of Nebraska. Both Spaniers taught at Penn State during the 1970s and early '80s. During that time the president-elect was an assistant and associate sociology professor and an associate dean in the College of Human Development.

The new president said his wife might teach English at Penn State as well, but the decision is up to the department and he would not be involved, he said.

But there is little doubt Spanier will have his hands full when he takes office on Sept. 1. Board President William Schreyer said he has "a good long list" of what he would like to see Spanier accomplish, including bringing in the best faculty and building on international active and collaborative learning concepts.

Spanier agrees that more active learning using telecommunications should be encouraged.

"That's of very rapid development across all of higher education," he said. "I personally expect Penn State to be out in the lead -- it already has been one of the leaders."

Schreyer said one of the biggest challenges Spanier will face is managing the University within the constraints of its resources. He said Spanier will have to determine University priorities and build on what Penn State already has accomplished -- at University Park and in the Commonwealth Educational System.

"The CES could work better than it ever has," Schreyer said. "He will need to bring the Penn State story to the commonwealth and tell them about all the things we have."

Lobbying in Harrisburg will be important in the next few years --the state appropriation outlook is bleak. Gov. Tom Ridge is proposing to keep the appropriation the same as this year and cut the Tuition Challenge Grant in half. It adds up to be more than $23 million short of the University's request.

On top of lobbying, fund raising will also be a factor -- the University will embark on a new campaign to raise money for scholarships and endowments after Spanier's arrival. Spanier said although it might be premature to set specific expectations for the campaign, he is looking forward to being part of it.

And his reviews at Nebraska are favorable -- Joan Leitzel, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said Spanier places a high priority on academic areas and that research funding has risen substantially during his four-year term.

"He gets things to happen," Leitzel said. "He moved (the University of Nebraska) in the right direction and at a fast pace."

But worrying about finances is not one of Spaniers choice aspects of the job -- he would rather spend time with students.

As Nebraska chancellor, Spanier is known to be visible on campus. He eats lunch in the residence halls at least once a week, has dinner with a fraternity or sorority once a month and is faculty advisor to the honor students' dorm.

In addition, Spanier can be found traveling with athletic teams and he and his wife invite student groups to their home several times a year. "I look for every opportunity I can to interact with students -- it's my favorite part of the job," he said.

The new University president also has his views on a playoff system for football -- coming from Nebraska, he is well aware of the fans' need to know who the No. 1 team is.

"I believe it's preferable to find a way within the bowl structure," Spanier said, adding that the new bowl alliance is close to a solution although the Big Ten and Pac 10 are not included -- both conference champions are committed to the Rose Bowl.

"It merits discussion to allow for a match-up between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams," he said.

For now, he will have to enjoy Nebraska's national football title -- meanwhile, members of the Penn State community look forward to what the future holds.

Coppersmith Fredman, who was a member of the presidential selection committee, seems optimistic about the selection of Spanier and the attitude he will bring to the University.

"I think it's an exciting opportunity for well thought out change," Coppersmith Fredman said. "He feels like a leader who gathers all input before making a decision --he has no preconceived notions and his value system welcomes input."