American college and university presidents have less time than ever for the traditional rode of acting as the academic leader of their institutions. Instead they are fundraising, lobbying and acting as peacemaker among their different constituencies, several presidents and scholars told a nationwide audience at a recent Black Issues In Higher Education videoconference.

University of Virginia

President Dr. John Casteen, III said he spends three-quarters of his time on fundraising, followed closely by dealing with political issues. Traditional college presidential duties "come in last," he said.

"Shrinking budgets mean we spend more time fundraising and the dollars are more readily available for institutions that already have an established record of excellence," he said. The videoconference, "Prosperity or Turmoil: The Future of the American College President," focused on some of the problems faced by presidents as they deal with smaller budgets, fractious faculty and the tensions surrounding affirmative action and diversity.

"When it comes to diversity and tolerance, a president needs to understand that it is his or her role (to act) as the facilitator and tone setter," said Jonathan Alger, from the associate council for the American Association of University Professors. Alger said sharing information and receiving input from faculty is vita]. "Faculty are on the front line of education and should be seen as a resource ... If information is shared and there is constructive dialogue, faculty can come up with solutions a president may not think of himself."

That issue was illustrated by the presence of Bowie State University President Dr. Nathaniel Pollard, who recently received a vote of "no confidence" from his faculty, despite students who approved of the job he is doing. He is the third president of Bowie State to receive a vote of no-confidence from the faculty.