Visiting presidential candidate Robert Kennedy said yesterday he would increase diversity at Ohio University by recruiting in areas of Ohio with large minority populations and work to counter budget cuts by lobbying for state and federal dollars.
Kennedy, 57, provost and executive vice president at the University of Maine, said he would evaluate OU's recruitment and retention programs to determine where money should be spent to increase diversity. He said when he was more familiar with the state, he would identify geographical areas in which time might be better spent or resources allocated for recruiting.
Kennedy, who called himself an optimist
said he believed he could solicit larger contributions from the state and federal government to combat the university's budget shortfalls.
There are always ways of getting increased state support Kennedy said. After examining Ohio's budget priorities, he said higher education was the only area shrinking. He said he would use the university's economic contributions, such as creating new spin-off businesses and jobs, as a selling point.
During his time at the University of Maine, Kennedy said he has been able to secure millions of dollars in congressional funding for university initiatives.
We've tried to keep tuition increases to a minimum he said.
Kennedy said he would begin planning another fundraising drive, similar to OU's $200 million Bicentennial Campaign, if selected as president.
Kennedy said his chief success in Maine has been improving academic programs by helping create an honors college and working to advance faculty and student research. He said he would work to enhance academics at OU as well.
Ohio University can and should be recognized ... as the best undergraduate education in Ohio
Kennedy said.
Some students and faculty members said they would have liked Kennedy to present more specific goals.
He seemed to be somewhat less aware about details about the university than I would expect from someone being recruited for president
said Tom Statler, professor of physics and astronomy.
But OU sophomore Joe Merical said Kennedy had presidential potential. He definitely seems like a fairly strong choice
he said.
Kennedy is competing for the position with Roderick McDavis, 55, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, and David Hodge, 55, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington.
OU junior Erick Odom, who attended last night's forum and watched videotapes of the other candidates speaking, said he liked two of the candidates.
I hope it's down between (Kennedy) and McDavis
he said.
Kennedy will spend the morning touring campus and meeting with the academic deans. He also will have lunch with the presidential search committee before departing for Maine.
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Nick Juliano and Erica Ryan
