Associated Press
10-24-06
Old critics follow new provost's return to Iowa State
AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa State's newest provost was once a rising star of the
university administration.
When Elizabeth Hoffman left Iowa State University in 1997 to become provost
of the University of Illinois-Chicago, she was on a fast track to success in the
world of academic administration. It was a path that would ultimately lead her to
become president of the University of Colorado system.
But a tortuous and much-criticized tenure as president there ended in Hoffman's
resignation and has changed her trajectory. Now Hoffman is returning to Ames,
where she will become Iowa State's newest provost in January.
The reaction to Hoffman's appointment has been mixed.
Professors and activists in Colorado have been especially critical. They say they
can't understand why Iowa State hired her for the university's No. 2 job, citing in
particular her handling of a number of events that made national headlines at
Colorado, including her response to reports that sex, alcohol and marijuana lured
underage football recruits to Colorado.
"It's mind-boggling to me that a university would want to hire her after these
unbelievable gaffes," said Joanne Belknap, a University of Colorado-Boulder
sociology and women's studies professor. "I don't know about her teaching and
research -- I don't think she should be in leadership."
But Hoffman also has her supporters. They say her long career in university
administration and ability to raise large amounts of money make her a highly
qualified provost. They say her past accomplishments also explain her salary -Hoffman will be paid $275,000 a year, which makes her one of the highest paid
provosts in the Big 12 Conference.
Hoffman, 59, acknowledges troubles at Colorado but says that she's excited to
return to ISU, where she most recently served as dean of liberal arts.
"What really happened at Colorado was lack of funding for higher education,"
Hoffman said. "What I take away from that is public funding for higher education
is our future."
Hoffman says her priorities at ISU will include increased public funding,
conducting research of student education, hiring more faculty of diverse races
and gender, and biofuels research.
ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said he took time to weigh hiring Hoffman
back to ISU. He said he thought she was a good fit, in part, because in her new
role she won't have to deal with athletics, legal advice, or public relations issues,
three things that tripped her up during her tenure at Colorado.
Some professors in Ames say they consider Hoffman a scapegoat for a series of
controversies and that Iowa State is lucky to attract someone of her caliber.
"She just radiates a lot of energy and enthusiasm for her job as executive vice
president and provost," said Carolyn Heising, an ISU professor of industrial,
mechanical and nuclear engineering. "I think she has a strong feeling of social
justice."
Heising said Hoffman was key in the starting of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center
for Women and Politics and establishing the Plaza of Heroines, an area on
campus that contains more than 3,000 bricks commemorating women who are
considered role models.
Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com