Boston Globe: Faust gets "high marks"

The Boston Globe has a nice writeup of President Faust's first six months in office. The article zeroed in on the administration's quick moves on College financial aid, as well as her openness, which was on display at a summertime gathering in the Yard:

That July day, she gave a self-deprecating talk, then strolled onto the grass in Harvard Yard and mingled with one group after another, attendees recalled. Faust, who had invited faculty, students, and staff at every level to the ice cream social, spoke with all who approached her. And, she listened.

"It defined her presidency," said James Kloppenberg, chairman of the history department. "I wandered by where she was and thought this was unprecedented for a Harvard president to make him- or herself available to anybody who wanted to chat."

I have to agree. While I did not attend the ice cream social, I did write Faust after receiving her letter to the community in the fall. I wanted to draw her attention to an issue that I feel needs attention and resources (see Online education, sharing knowledge, and a proposal for Harvard and Thesis Update: Formatting horrors, and the Extension School's electronic archiving problem) and she actually replied -- not with a form letter, but with a personal email.

This doesn't mean the electronic archiving issue will be tackled soon, but it was the right response.

... For now.

Related entries:

• Thoughts on Drew Gilpin Faust, Harvard's next president


• I get a message from Larry Summers (I think)