To the editor:

I would like to clarify a couple of comments attributed to me in Sunday’s informative article on KU’s newly appointed chancellor, Doug Girod. Normally, I would not bother to take this step; however, as one of the few, if not only, Lawrence campus faculty member quoted in the paper, I want to be clear that I did not intend for my comments to come out as negative comments about our new chancellor.

First, I did actually say the things that reporter Sara Shepherd attributed to me. They were, however, only part of what I said. Learning about the Lawrence campus and its varied graduate and undergraduate programs will be a steep learning curve for Chancellor Girod as learning about the Medical Center would be for a new chancellor not from a medical school.

Likewise, one of the major differences between the two campuses is the breadth and depth of undergraduate programs on the Lawrence campus and the vast array of student support programs that come with this diversity. At this point, we don’t know how familiar Girod is with Lawrence undergraduate programs and the challenges that come with them. But, from all we’ve

heard about him, he will be a quick study. In my work several years ago as leader of KU’s reaccreditation self-study, I was fortunate to have had some small opportunities to work with him and colleagues at the Med Center. At that time, Executive Vice-Chancellor Girod had only been in his role for a short time, but the accomplishments were impressive. A description of newly appointed Chancellor Girod repeated many times last week (on the Lawrence Campus) by those who know Dr. Girod was, “He’s a good guy.” Coupled with his accomplishments as leader of KUMC, being a “good guy” bodes well for his future as KU’s 18th chancellor.