In his 28-year career at the College, James Wright has seen a lot. From a fundamental change in the core curriculum to the controversial moving of the Commencement location, Wright has had a hand in many important events and decisions since he came to Hanover in 1969.
But even a six-month internship as acting president of the College in 1995 likely did not prepare him for what is probably his greatest challenge at Dartmouth to date -- presiding simultaneously over the provost's and dean of the faculty's offices.
Since former Provost Lee Bollinger departed to become the president of Michigan University, Wright -- who has been Dean of the Faculty since 1989 -- has also assumed the duties of acting provost.
Wright has often said that he is dedicated to the improvement of student life, and in his new role as head of two of the most powerful offices at the College, he should have the chance to do so.
Seeing double
One of the most interesting consequences of Wright's dual role is that he shares his time between both of his offices -- the dean of the faculty office in Wentworth Hall and the provost's office in Parkhurst Hall.
And while both the dean of the faculty and the College provost are full-time jobs, Wright can only devote half a day to each. Since the two positions have separate administrative offices, staff, and files, he said "it is not possible to wear both hats in one office."
Though Wright will only hold both roles for six months -- until a search committee can find a new dean of the faculty to replace him -- he conceded that juggling all the responsibilities will not be easy.
However, College President James Freedman, who asked Wright to serve as acting provost, has confidence in Wright's abilities. "He's really an outstanding person and administrator," Freedman said. "He's a superb person and we're very fortunate that he is willing to do both jobs."
According to Freedman, both the provost and dean of the faculty positions are "essential to the College. They're essential to academic leadership and scholastic leadership."
Despite running across the Green each day from Wentworth to Parkhurst and vice versa, Wright said he is not able to give his complete attention to either position. "The job involves a lot more than going to meetings and keeping appointments," he said.
Holding both positions means Wright does not have the time to do some of the things which he feels are very important in handling each job, he said. "I can't just pick up the phone, write a letter, or go over to someone's office or lab," he said.
His day is filled with appointments -- usually 12 to 14 each day. Wright said he is more or less able to keep these engagements, but that he is not able to see people as quickly as he would like. But concedes that "it's for six months and I just have to adapt."
Wright gives a lot of credit to his staff and colleagues in both offices, who he said have been very supportive. "The College is well served. These people have made my jobs easier and made my life more pleasant," he said.
As the dean of faculty, Wright said his job is to work with the faculty and associate deans to ensure the quality of both graduate and undergraduate programs in the Arts and Sciences. He said this includes figuring budgets, recruiting new faculty, and appointing department and program chairs.
The provost duties Wright recently assumed are far broader in range. He is responsible for overseeing everything from the three graduate schools to the College's library system, computing services and performing arts, among others.
Once Wright's successor as dean of the faculty is appointed, he will devote his energies full time to the provost's position, until a permanent replacement can be located -- presumed to be in about a year-and-a-half.
And then Wright will be free to once again pursue his true love -- teaching history to students.
A wealth of knowledge
One of the reasons many feel Wright was one of the only people who could handle both the dean of the faculty and provost positions is his vast experience at the College.
From January to June 1995, Wright was acting president of the College while Freedman was away on sabbatical.
During his tenure, Wright made many important decisions, including moving Commencement from the lawn in front of Baker Library to Memorial Field in anticipation of the large crowds expected to come to see U.S. President Bill Clinton speak that June.
Furthermore, in his almost 30 years as a member of the faculty, Wright has chaired or contributed to many committees that have made decisions affecting students' everyday lives.
Most recently, he chaired the curriculum review committee that proposed broad changes to Dartmouth's educational program. The changes took effect for the Class of 1998, but not before Wright himself worked on the fundraising to ensure that the new curriculum would be ready for the '98s.
In addition, in April 1987, Wright chaired a committee charged with the task of reviewing student life that issued a report calling for the College to reshape its social atmosphere.
The Wright Report recommended reducing both the role of alcohol and the influence of fraternities and sororities on campus social life. The report also suggested building an expanded student center.
Wright came to the College in 1969 as an assistant professor of history, and was appointed chair of the department in 1989, the same year Freedman made him dean of the faculty. But he soon gave up teaching because he thought his new position would prevent him from devoting time to his students.
Wright is one of the few members of the faculty who has been at the College since the presidency of John Sloane Dickey. Wright's first year at the College was Dickey's last as president.
He received his undergraduate degree and Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
In addition to his eight years as dean of the faculty, Wright served one term as associate dean of faculty for the social sciences from 1981 to 1985. He then returned to teaching before accepting the appointment as the dean of the faculty four years later.
