Q&A with the Daily Bruin

Published: Monday, July 29, 1996

Sunday, July 28, 1996

Chancellor Tien of UC Berkeley prepares for a new phase of leadershipBy Grace Wen

Summer Bruin Senior Staff

On July 9, the University of California system lost another leader when Chang-Lin Tien, the Chancellor of Berkeley, announced that he would leave his leadership position no later than June 30, 1997. Tien, who is widely known as one of the UC system's most vocal proponents of affirmative action, was gracious enough to give us a few moments of his time last Thursday.

The National Research Council recently named UC Berkeley as the best research university in the nation. As chancellor, you hold the rare position of being popular among both students and the administration. Your efforts to fight fee hikes have been remarkably successful. You managed to raise $780 million to help the university through financially strained times. In all respects, your position seems admirable/desirable. Why would you leave now?

That is precisely the reason since Berkeley is doing so well. It is about time to pass the account to another person who might carry it into the 21st century ... There are other reasons. Because I would really like to spend more time on my own scholastic activities, such as my research ... I still teach periodically, especially freshmen. I miss those activities a lot. Also, I would like to spend more time with my family ...

What research-related work will you be doing?

My specialty is in engineering ... Right now I am working more on microelectronics and optical electronics, with heating and cooling problems.

Will you continue to teach at Berkeley or remain active on campus?

Well, I plan to be on campus doing some research and teaching, but since this [effective resignation] is still a year away, I am still trying to assess any other opportunities which might come to me. So, right now, my current plan is to stay on at Berkeley and do some teaching and research ...

You mentioned "other opportunities?" What other opportunities might there be?

Some companies are inviting me to join them on their boards. And there are many other foundations, too, asking me, and also, even public servants.

Did the Regents' UC-wide repeal of affirmative action affect your decision to leave?

No. Of course, my position is well-known ... I have been chancellor six years, and now it is time to spend time with my family. And also, I don't want to leave in the middle of the fundraising public capital campaign.

What do you think is the future of the UC system?

I am very optimistic. I think the UC system is the last public higher-education system in the world. It will continue to play a leadership role in the future.

The UC system has recently lost, or is going to lose, three different chancellors; Chancellor Charles Young of UCLA and Chancellor Karl Pister of UC Santa Cruz, both of whom, like yourself, are firm believers in affirmative action. What insight can you provide about this?

I think the cause of affirmative action may have played some role in some people's decision to resign, but I think overall ... the UCs as a whole are strong enough, I think, and will continue to maintain their vitality and keep their level of action.

Did the lack of shared governance within the system affect your decision to resign?

No. Although I would love to see more of a shared governance as faculty members suggested, and I feel awfully strongly that the past tradition of shared governance has been instrumental to the UC system moving to the highest level of action ...

How do you find the time to be an active presence on campus? You attend football games, you encourage the students on finals where do you find that time?

Well, I just love that part. I feel extremely close to students, to everyday life on campus, so I live on campus, I walk every day and talk to faculty, students and staff. I go to residence halls, dining rooms and libraries, classrooms. I feel that it is a very important part of my job being visible and present in the everyday life of the campus.

Do you think there is any hope of implementing or salvaging affirmative action for the future?

I think so. I never give up any hope or fight, and I think that if all of us, if everyone, cares about what we stand for, then we will be able to make progress.

Can you comment on the future of student-regent relations?

I think generally they are quite good. I think that the students communicate their views very effectively, and also, our student leaders are very articulate. They also have a very strong voice, and they are not easily overwhelmed by the regents, and they speak very effectively. UCSA (University of California Students' Association) is also doing extremely well ... I am extremely impressed by the caliber of our student leadership and their dealings with the regents.

Will you make any recommendations as to whom should succeed you?

No. I don't want to be involved directly. But if they ask me my opinions I am willing to provide my input.

Thank you very much.

Nice to talk with you!

JANE SCHERR

On July 9, Berkeley's Chancellor Chang-Lin Tien announced that he would retire from his position, joining both Chancellors Charles Young and Karl Pister.