This month, Karen A. Holbrook completed her 100th day as Ohio State’s 13th president. The first 100 days of an administration are traditionally seen as a microcosm of what can be expected from the new leader — a time when she defines herself and her policies.
In Holbrook’s short time here at OSU, she has voiced few opinions and made few stands. Her administration has been characterized not so much by what she has done as by what she has not — and the few issues she has taken to heart have garnered negative reactions ranging from caution to outrage.
One of the unfortunate characteristics of the Holbrook administration has been the president’s inaccessibility to the public and the media. This can be aptly demonstrated by the fact that The Lantern was unable to print a story on Holbrook’s first 100 days until the 121st day of her presidency. The reason: This week was the first time Holbrook was available to be interviewed.
Other media outlets have also complained of Holbrook’s reluctance to be interviewed — a practice which stands in unfavorable contrast to the openness of former President William “Brit” Kirwan’s administration. If Holbrook continues to avoid the public eye, the public may soon begin to think she has a reason to hide.
Of course, the last time Holbrook spoke out about something the result was nothing short of a fiasco. At this point in her administration, Holbrook is best known for suggesting Buckeye football fans clean up their rowdy pregame parties on Lane Avenue — a proposal which was met with indignation from students, alumni and local media alike.
The issue seems to have been tabled when faced with the frenzy of celebration for the national champion Buckeyes — which resulted in giving the offending street the honorary title of Champions Lane — but earning the ire of an entire city and of Buckeye fans around the world is still a terrible way to begin a presidency.
The hullabaloo surrounding the Lane Avenue issue has shifted the focus away from the only other policy Holbrook has mentioned: the plan to continue Kirwan’s idea to use research as a method of bringing in more money to OSU. This plan has obvious benefits; more money for OSU and more research at OSU are both good things. In fact, it’s probably the best thing Holbrook has done since coming here.
But it still has its drawbacks, such as the possible consequences for disciplines whose research does not result in lucrative patents. Holbrook has expressed her wish to treat all research projects equally, but it is to be expected that the departments which bring in more money may be focused upon more heavily. She should be aware of this and take care not to favor the laboratory sciences at the expense of humanities and social sciences.
All in all, Holbrook’s first 100 days have been less than auspicious, to say the least. It is to be hoped that OSU’s president will learn from her missteps and make her next 100 days more in tune with OSU’s slogan: “Do Something Great.”
