Interview/ David Roselle
Have you set an agenda for the University?
A plan or strategy for an organization should be
formulated by the total organization and not be the agenda
of any one individual, but, that having been said, ‘“yes" is _
the answer. Infrastructure questions don’t go away. It has been `
There are some rather clear agenda items. On the demonstrated very clearly in American industry that, unless I
financial side, it is clear that the University of Kentucky is one continues to work on the infrastructure issues, then _
going to have to rely on some non-traditional sources for pretty soon the organization is hopelessly out of date. The °
funding for the University. UK has already embarked on steel industry is oft-cited as a prime example of an industry
that kind of plan and done very well. These initiatives will that got into trouble because it allowed its technology to l
be continued. become dated. Scientific equipment in the hands of
UK, in my opinion, has also been correct to embark researchers is a similar problem. Equipment is a continuing
on a strategy of selective admissions. The Lexington problem that has to be addressed each and every year, each
campus, hand in hand with the Community Colleges, has and €Ve1“Y day.
lhc whcycwithal] [0 Strengthen education in the Other important agenda items are growth in scholarly
Commonwealth’s public schools and still be responsive to opportunities and research funding, promotion ofthe arts,
the issue of access to higher education. definition of a suitable core curriculum, and initiatives
Questions of diversity of the student faculty and staff designed to recruit and retain well qualified members of the
populations has to be an important issue for the University support staff. The U1'1lV€TSltY will need also to &ddY€$S ifS
of Kentucky. Problems of access for all groups is an issue of 1”0l€ ifi the economic €l€V€l0pmeI1t activities ofthe
our times. It needs to be recognized as such and responded C0mm0¤W€&lKl'1·
[Q p()$i[iv(j]y_   is YOU" management style? `
There needs to be a great deal of attention given to Well, I haven’t thought about it; let me tell you what
providing the correct environment for the faculty, staff, and others have said. ‘
students to most effectively do their instructional and What is most often said about my management style is
service duties and to pursue their scholarly interests. that I make decisions. That has pleased me for I have
Faculty salaries are important to be sure but so are observed organizations unable to make progress because of
opportunities of other kinds. The recent improvements an inability to define a course of action.
funded by the legislature for enhancements to the physical It’s also been said that I delegate well. The other side
plants of the community colleges, the computer upgrade of that coin is that I meet frequently with persons who
money, the Robotics Center, the EPSCoR grant, the $20 report to me and attempt to provide whatever support
million in scientific equipment—that’s all very, very might be desired by them.
important. I try hard to develop future leadership. That should be
a high priority item for anyone with leadership`
responsibility. I attempt to identify the next leaders of the
organization and develop leadership opportunities for them.
I think organizations should have a social conscience .
and my leadership reflects that belief.
An organization has to formulate a plan and then
measure its progress against that plan. There is also the
need for good leaders to be good problem solvers.
What has been your transition plan?
People are the most important component of the
University of Kentucky. Prior to assuming office on July 1, ,
I had visited each of the 14 community colleges, spent a
week in The Medical Center, a week in the offices, studios ‘
and laboratories of the Lexington campus and several days
visiting the various administrative offices and support units.
In the course of these visits, I began friendships with many
faculty and staff members and learned many ideas about
how to advance the University of Kentucky.
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