The God(dess) of Small Things
Posted on January 26th, 2011 in Uncategorized | 12 Comments »
Drew Faust has started a walking program. It kicks off (heh) with a “panel discussion” at Sanders Theater.
Apparently there is nothing unworthy of a panel discussion.
Faust “tells” Pravda the Harvard Gazette,
“Harvard on the Move offers a unique opportunity for Harvard’s many constituencies to come together outside the classroom and lecture halls,” said Faust, who plans to participate in the program’s inaugural walk on Feb. 1. “Whether you are a dedicated runner or a busy student or staff member determined to get in shape for the spring, I encourage you to come out, challenge yourself, and meet your colleagues for conversation and fitness.”
Where does one start?
With the observation that Dick Morris appears to be advising Drew Faust?
With the curiosity about who originated this perfectly pleasant but truly trivial idea?
With the remark that walking around Cambridge in January is, you know, dumb?
With the hunch that this “unique opportunity” to get to know fellow Harvardians will be seen by many as neither unique nor an opportunity?
With the hope that the president of Harvard University has bigger things on her mind….?
12 Responses
1/26/2011 4:13 pm
When I saw the email from Drew announcing her running and walking initiative, all that I could think about was all the actually important messages that she wouldn’t lend her imprimatur to. Mass Hall wouldn’t put Drew’s name on messages about the staff engagement survey. Messages about emergency preparation come from the Provost or EVP instead of the President. Even the announcement encouraging donations to other charities by payroll deduction came from someone else.
But running and walking, that’s Presidential material. It’s a strange world we live in.
1/26/2011 4:16 pm
And Larry will lead the way, after he finishes the three diet Cokes (see today’s Crimson).
1/26/2011 4:18 pm
Absolutely right.
The three lawyers running the university would never allow her to put her name on something important.
1/27/2011 10:55 am
off topic.
http://blogs.wsj.com/davos/2011/01/27/larry-summers-vs-tiger-mom/
1/27/2011 9:01 pm
And then there is Evidence of an American Plutocracy: The Larry Summers Story.
1/27/2011 10:36 pm
And here is the new position from which to continue his good work:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/01/summers_to_head.html?p1=Local_Links
1/28/2011 4:34 am
With addressing the gist of the article that Harry linked,
will just say that it was filled with many, many factual mistakes.
1/28/2011 4:35 am
That should have been “without addressing…”
1/28/2011 7:32 am
It did not look like a model of unbiased journalism. Probably should not have linked it on this scrupulously neutral site!
As for the Center for Business and Government RT notes, para one of the University’s new Financial Conflicts of Interest Policy states: “[Faculty members] should avoid circumstances that reasonable observers would believe create an undue risk that the prospect of direct or indirect personal financial gain could inappropriately influence faculty members’ judgment or actions in fulfilling their University duties.” What that means in practice is uncharted territory.
1/28/2011 8:05 am
Plutocracy link:
Nice interesting (from the left) polemic. I agree with some of it, particularly the fact that this administration took (and continues to take) care of Wall Street at the expense of main street.
However, when I see the many, many factual mistakes in the article, it gives me pause about all the things said that I don’t know about.
1/28/2011 9:51 am
So, not only is walking/running “initiative” (try getting around Boston some other way, even in this snow…) but Drew cannot sustain the interest of commenters beyond, what, three comments?
1/28/2011 9:51 am
Meant to say walking thing is silly.