University President as Risk Taker

In answer to the question as to whether it is the role of the president to assume the risk of promoting change, I think that it is one of the risky, yet necessary traits of an effective presidency.

Take for instance the president of Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. From what I know of him, he seems to be an extremely likable person, charismatic, a respected leader in business. Yet, he did something that is oriented toward an unknown future at his university that he cannot fully control: He took a stance on environmental sustainability. Committing his personal signature to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, he also committed the university itself to several tangible changes in university operations that would, over time, increase campus energy efficiency. So, he not only put his name on the line, but also that of the university.

I believe that if the university fails to meet the benchmarks set forth in the commitment, (and they get increasingly stringent as the years progress) he takes the heat. If the university does meet the benchmarks, he basks in the glory as the president who took the risk…and it was just one signature. Now, that may be exaggerating it a bit, as there were many stakeholders involved in the decision, but the focus is on the president, both publicly and personally.