Rumors confirmed - Holloway out at end of school year

[T2Kplus20]

Pushed out? 5 years is a short run.

Announcing My Plans

www.rutgers.edu

The clowns at NJ.com already chiming in:

Exclusive: Rutgers President Holloway says toxic politics drove decision to leave | Moran

He has scored huge wins for Rutgers, but now needs a police escort, and worries about the safety of his family. So, when his contract expires, he's leaving the presidency.

www.nj.com

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

This is why we cannot have nice things. NJ.com may have a point on this.. no?

 

[T2Kplus20]

This is why we cannot have nice things. NJ.com may have a point on this.. no?

Sounds like an indictment on the culture of higher ed/academia and society in general. Lots of crap to deal with these days.

 

[RUPete]

I need to read more, but my initial reaction is that this stinks. I thought he understood the big picture for the most part about how everything should complement each other: academics, research, athletics, etc. to raise the profile of a university.

 

[e5fdny]

Thought the article was fair and not bad.

And agree with @RUPete, got that vibe from him too.

As for the need for protection, I can remember when he used to walk around the Stadium (not the Club but the concourse) unescorted without an entourage.

Pretty cool to see. As he’s a big dude.

 

[kupuna133]

My read is he is tired of the politics in NJ. Most of his career was spent at private institutions (Yale Northwestern) Dealing with the NY/NJ media and politics is no easy task.

 

[Knight Shift]

My read is he is tired of the politics in NJ. Most of his career was spent at private institutions (Yale Northwestern) Dealing with the NY/NJ media and politics is no easy task.

I'd take NJ and it's politics over the entitled, namby-pamby Ivy kids and faculty. Ivies are are lunatic factories.

 

[kupuna133]

I'd take NJ and it's politics over the entitled, namby-pamby Ivy kids and faculty. Ivies are are lunatic factories.

Yea but historically Ivies looked upon their profs and leadership as gods. They didn’t have to answer to anyone.

 

[Knight Shift]

Some of the replies to this post on X are harsh:

 

[Knight Shift]

Yea but historically Ivies looked upon their profs and leadership as gods. They didn’t have to answer to anyone.

A lot of pressure was put on them more recently by donors. See Penn, Harvard, etc.

 

[kupuna133]

A lot of pressure was put on them more recently by donors. See Penn, Harvard, etc.

Yep. Agreed think Holloway saw the upheaval at Penn Columbia Harvard and knew only time before it landed at his door step. Plus I always saw him as using RU as a stepping stone.

 

[ScarletKid2008]

It’s a societal issue. Public offices are not desirable by many smart capable people. Just look at the pool of candidates we get for all levels in politics. It’s not our best and brightest. People with options don’t want the constant public negative tone and mud slinging in their lives.

 

[Knight Shift]

It’s a societal issue. Public offices are not desirable by many smart capable people. Just look at the pool of candidates we get for all levels in politics. It’s not our best and brightest. People with options don’t want the constant public negative tone and mud slinging in their lives.

Exactly. What Abraham Lincoln said (quoting Lydgate) that you can't please all of the people all of the time applies. Abraham Lincoln handled it well. These times need more Abraham Lincolns:

“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

 

[Eagleton96]

Great article and spot on by the Ledger. Murphy forced a bad deal on Rutgers in the teacher strike...forcing Rutgers into a higher wage structure than any other public college. And the teacher's union is literally insane (and I'm a liberal union supporter). And Rutgers has been a political plaything and punching bag for politicians of all stripes. Completely thankless job...other than the massive salary.

 

[kupuna133]

Toxic politics!

 

[mdk01]

It’s a societal issue. Public offices are not desirable by many smart capable people. Just look at the pool of candidates we get for all levels in politics. It’s not our best and brightest. People with options don’t want the constant public negative tone and mud slinging in their lives.

The 10-12% far left and 10-12% far right are having an undue influence on both politics and academics.

 

[Scarlet Jerry]

That's why I laughed when this board had a discussion a few years ago about the (relatively) high salaries for public school administrators. It's a very aggravating job because you can't please everyone, and social media makes even small issues into big ones. We need to tone things down as a society. I really hope that we can.

Scarlet Jerry

 

[jtung230]

GS said we are vertically aligned at the university. AD resigned and now the president. If the school brings in someone that can’t get along with GS, RutgersAl might be right about the UF job.

 

[UMRU]

He was very involved with the RU community his first couple of years. Over the last couple of years, however, he has backed away - sending surrogates to meetings, for example, when he used to (and should) attend. He obviously was looking for a new job over the last year or more, meaning he had already lost interest in the university. We need someone who is 100% in - not someone who is using us as a stepping stone.

 

[mdk01]

He was very involved with the RU community his first couple of years. Over the last couple of years, however, he has backed away - sending surrogates to meetings, for example, when he used to (and should) attend. He obviously was looking for a new job over the last year or more, meaning he had already lost interest in the university. We need someone who is 100% in - not someone who is using us as a stepping stone.

For almost the last year a shitstorm that puts even his family at risk has taken place. I'd hardly allege he "already lost interest" for not being out and about during that time.

 

[UMRU]

For almost the last year a shitstorm that puts even his family at risk has taken place. I'd hardly allege he "already lost interest" for not being out and about during that time.

His attendance at important university meetings or decisions to not respond to faculty committees that are also trying to improve Rutgers has nothing to do with his families safety.

It is, unfortunately, nearly impossible to be the leader of any university or college these days without facing an onslaught of abuse. This is not a Rutgers or a NJ thing. This is a problem in this country.

From todays Chronicle of Higher Education - "What Makes You Ready to Be a College President?"

They (college presidents) are beset by competing demands from various groups, such as alumni, faculty, and students; under pressure to quickly solve enormous administrative and financial problems; and fearful that any pronouncement or action could swiftly spark internet outrage and reputational damage.

The job of college president has always been difficult, but those conditions have raised the stakes for the current crop of leaders.

 

[mdk01]

His attendance at important university meetings or decisions to not respond to faculty committees that are also trying to improve Rutgers has nothing to do with his families safety.

It is, unfortunately, nearly impossible to be the leader of any university or college these days without facing an onslaught of abuse. This is not a Rutgers or a NJ thing. This is a problem in this country.

So that's not a problem for him?

From todays Chronicle of Higher Education - "What Makes You Ready to Be a College President?"

They (college presidents) are beset by competing demands from various groups, such as alumni, faculty, and students; under pressure to quickly solve enormous administrative and financial problems; and fearful that any pronouncement or action could swiftly spark internet outrage and reputational damage.

The job of college president has always been difficult, but those conditions have raised the stakes for the current crop of leaders.

Let's see where he ends up. Another college or university says one thing. In a non-academic position in the private sector says another.

 

[pmvon]

I'd take NJ and it's politics over the entitled, namby-pamby Ivy kids and faculty. Ivies are are lunatic factories.

Not if you’ve had experience in the “namby pamby”. NJ politics media etc is toxic. No place is perfect though but having everyone rowing the boat together is a lot better place to be. Someday maybe NJ gets there.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Not if you’ve had experience in the “namby pamby”. NJ politics media etc is toxic. No place is perfect though but having everyone rowing the boat together is a lot better place to be. Someday maybe NJ gets there.

Ivy league universities are textbook for groupthink and all the ills that come with that. NJ blows as well, but in a different way.

 

[Knight Shift]

Not if you’ve had experience in the “namby pamby”. NJ politics media etc is toxic. No place is perfect though but having everyone rowing the boat together is a lot better place to be. Someday maybe NJ gets there.

Agree! You mentioned rowing the boat.

PJ Fleck for RU President?

He got the WMU Broncos rowing a boat, and then the gophers. The Knights of the Raritan, I mean it would be easy, and Greg Schiano would like a President like PJ Fleck.

 

[RUGuitarMan]

Ivy league universities are textbook for groupthink and all the ills that come with that. NJ blows as well, but in a different way.

I don’t know about all that. Criticisms of higher learning - often politicized - goes back many decades- actually to the early - mid 20th century. It seems to me that many of the problems of today are certainly not the result of common thinking. In my opinion, the way in which people communicate with one another and how information is received plays a role. When people communicate to one another in person things are generally more civil and less confrontational. There is always going to be differing opinions on various issues.

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

Holloway helped improve RU’s academic reputation and supported our sports programs. I hope RU lands a dynamic new leader who also supports the sports programs.

I’m slightly worried about retaining both Schiano and Pike. New management might be unsettling. I’m not on the ledge by any means, but I hope the new hires are all in the right direction.

 

[Eagleton96]

Here is the statement from the teacher's union. I'll paraphrase it for you:

When Holloway got here he thought he could run things. With the help of a toxic media and political culture, we quickly cut off his balls and sent him packing. We look forward to working with you all to make sure the next president is even less effective.

Union Statement about Rutgers President Holloway Stepping Down - Insider NJ

Union Statement about Rutgers President Holloway Stepping Down For Immediate Release: September 17, 2024 NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Todd Wolfson, president of Rutgers AAUP-AFT, the union representing 6,000 full-time faculty, graduate workers, and others at Rutgers University, and the national president...

www.insidernj.com

 

[mdk01]

Here is the statement from the teacher's union. I'll paraphrase it for you:

When Holloway got here he thought he could run things. With the help of a toxic media and political culture, we quickly cut off his balls and sent him packing. We look forward to working with you all to make sure the next president is even less effective.

Union Statement about Rutgers President Holloway Stepping Down - Insider NJ

Union Statement about Rutgers President Holloway Stepping Down For Immediate Release: September 17, 2024 NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Todd Wolfson, president of Rutgers AAUP-AFT, the union representing 6,000 full-time faculty, graduate workers, and others at Rutgers University, and the national president...

www.insidernj.com

Hopefully his successor will be equally disappointing

 

[ScarletKid2008]

Here is the statement from the teacher's union. I'll paraphrase it for you:

When Holloway got here he thought he could run things. With the help of a toxic media and political culture, we quickly cut off his balls and sent him packing. We look forward to working with you all to make sure the next president is even less effective.

Union Statement about Rutgers President Holloway Stepping Down - Insider NJ

Union Statement about Rutgers President Holloway Stepping Down For Immediate Release: September 17, 2024 NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Todd Wolfson, president of Rutgers AAUP-AFT, the union representing 6,000 full-time faculty, graduate workers, and others at Rutgers University, and the national president...

www.insidernj.com

That’s the exact type of BS that makes these jobs tough to attract a top notch candidate. You have spears aimed at you from all directions before you even start. Union, media, nj politics. All of them with an agenda to force you into serving their best interests first … or else that spear gets hurled .

 

[T2Kplus20]

Here is the statement from the teacher's union. I'll paraphrase it for you:

When Holloway got here he thought he could run things. With the help of a toxic media and political culture, we quickly cut off his balls and sent him packing. We look forward to working with you all to make sure the next president is even less effective.

Union Statement about Rutgers President Holloway Stepping Down - Insider NJ

Union Statement about Rutgers President Holloway Stepping Down For Immediate Release: September 17, 2024 NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Todd Wolfson, president of Rutgers AAUP-AFT, the union representing 6,000 full-time faculty, graduate workers, and others at Rutgers University, and the national president...

www.insidernj.com

What a bunch of a-holes. Sums up today's toxic union behavior.

 

[MADHAT1]

What a bunch of a-holes. Sums up today's toxic union behavior.

Looks like you hit the nail on head in this case.
Union statement was an asshole move and should make the next RU President wary of dealing with this butthead.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I'd take NJ and it's politics over the entitled, namby-pamby Ivy kids and faculty. Ivies are are lunatic factories.

Ummm... what makes you think the students and faculty are all that different? We're talking about Rutgers.. a large eastern university that shares its roots with those old privates and staff often crosses over.. like Holloway himself.

 

[mikemarc1]

Speaks alot about our current culture that he needs a police escort where he goes and god family needs protection. Such a shame people are like this…

 

[Morrischiano]

Holloway helped improve RU’s academic reputation and supported our sports programs. I hope RU lands a dynamic new leader who also supports the sports programs.

I’m slightly worried about retaining both Schiano and Pike. New management might be unsettling. I’m not on the ledge by any means, but I hope the new hires are all in the right direction.

For the only two metrics that matter to me ( academic national ranking and supporting RU sports) he gets an A+

 

[ashokan]

Unis are a sad story.

Many of the highest rated colleges are the worst overall. Alinsky told the 60s radicals to simmer down publicly and get inside institutions and morph them (Rules for Radicals). The teaching and media sectors were main targets.

The Ivies used to be run by WASPs with centuries old religious foundations. Because people bowed down to them uncritically they were targeted for makeover. Advocate Soylent Green production and people scoff. Let a Harvard prof do it and people think "Humm.. maybe there's something to it."

Once the Ivies lost their roots and the 60s flakes took over, radicalism became the cool stance (hiding behind civil rights jargon). Dept chairs and presidents gave in over and over. I was watched it begin to happen as a grad assistant and dropped pursuit of further grad degrees. Most of the older college admins had spines of pool noodles. The ethnic and gender dept. battleaxes really tipped the scales as mostly women became the students (women love to "save things" and get played for it).

I also knew radicals and their playbooks. They mutate noble sounding jargon and ridicule anyone who doesn't sing their tune. They stress people until they "compromise. The road to hell is paved one compromise at a time.

Now the little Frankensteins they created for 50 years are after the hive-keepers. They don't want colleges - they want indoctrination centers. Its kinda fun to watch the kook OGs have to fight their creations. Established OGs indoctrinated kids about "income inequality" while shackling them with crushing debt. You could see the piper would be paid eventually

 

[rurichdog]

View embedded media

Toxic politics!

And the piece was written by one of the sharpest spearheads in the toxic nj media! Can't make this sh*t up!

 

[RUJohnny]

Good riddance. He is either a halfwit or a coward. Any president that would allow his or her students to be prohibited from online learning because they refused an experimental vaccine isn't fit to lead a public university. I like him for many reasons and think he is and could have continued to be a good figurehead. But Rutgers' handling of the vaccine mandate was shameful, embarrassing to me as an alumnus and donor, and supersedes any good that he did or could have done. He failed at objective #1 by a wide margin.

 

[pmvon]

Ivy league universities are textbook for groupthink and all the ills that come with that. NJ blows as well, but in a different way.

Really? Any idea of the myriad of classes that universities teach? All that group think that continues to drive the most innovative society and economy in the world? How start ups, businesses etc are started by top universities grads or funded by them? Our higher education system with its flaws is the envy of the rest of the dirty shirts. Group think lol. Group think is a human condition.

 

[UMRU]

On-line only students were not subject to the vaccine mandate, so your anger is misplaced. Students enrolled in in-person classes were required to be vaccinated, which was a very sound policy to reduce infections of students and staff (and people students came in contact with) and to reduce the risks of infection.

Students may request an exemption from vaccination for medical or religious reasons. Students enrolled in fully remote online degree programs and individuals participating in online-only continuing education programs will not be required to be vaccinated.

https://www.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-require-covid-19-vaccine-students

I thought he did a generally very good job running the university and supporting sports and am sorry to see him go, but I completely understand the frustrations and fears of public figures, who are subjected to far more vitriol and threats than they were in the not-so-distant past. The biggest complaint I heard from the faculty members I know is his level of detachment in the past year or so, as @UMRU has also noted.

Overall, I respected him and thought he started out strong. I don't know the level of criticism he experienced, but criticism goes with jobs like this. If, as he said, he felt his family was not safe - well that obviously is way beyond OK and I wish those involved were reprimanded in a meaningful way.

I am disappointed he went to the newspaper to publicly air these concerns. This kind of "scorched earth" approach damages the reputation of Rutgers while doing nothing to those who are at fault. It is not a good look for him either, IMO.