Don’t play lone Woolf

Daniel Robert Woolf will become Queen’s 20th principal this September, Board of Trustees Chair Bill Young announced last Wednesday.

Woolf was chosen by an 18-person committee, made up of Board members, University administration and student leaders, to replace Principal Tom Williams.

Woolf, a Queen’s alum, is currently dean of the faculty of arts at the University of Alberta, where he’s a history professor.

His son is a first-year student at Queen’s.

Woolf said he wants to increase international recognition of the University.

Based on the background information the committee has provided on Woolf, he seems to be a good fit for the University.

Former principal Karen Hitchcock, who came to Queen’s from a U.S. university, lacked personal experience with Queen’s spirit, which showed in her detachment from student life. Woolf, on the other hand, will have the benefit of both his and his son’s undergraduate experiences to show him what needs to be done at the University.

Woolf’s arts background—a contrast to Hitchcock’s doctorate in anatomy and cell biology—may help the University focus more on arts programs, which have become neglected in recent years in favour of expanding Queen’s science and business programs.

But it’s worrisome that one of Woolf’s priorities is increasing the University’s international recognition. His rhetoric sounds disturbingly similar to Hitchcock’s “engaging the world” plan that shifted her focus from students’ to outsiders’ opinions.

Woolf should realize dealing properly with internal issues will send a positive message about Queen’s to the world.

Although he should work with Williams and use some of his good ideas, Woolf shouldn’t repeat the mistake of his predecessor by making far-reaching decisions, such as cancelling Homecoming, without proper student consultation.

He should spend his first few months getting face-to-face interaction with students, faculty and senior administration to re-familiarize himself with the University.

Woolf is young and seems to have a fresher outlook than former principals. He isn’t walking into an easy situation and we hope he realizes the full extent of his challenges.

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