Correction appended
College Provost Carol Folt's experience with students and faculty, as well as her familiarity with the College's workings, make her a good choice for the position of interim College president, according to a number of alumni interviewed by The Dartmouth. Her selection will ensure a level of continuity at the College during the transition period, alumni said.
Folt has worked at the College for over 25 years and has held numerous roles as a faculty member and administrator, making her well-suited to take on the interim role.
Alumni pointed to Folt's understanding of College President Jim Yong Kim's initiatives as an important asset and said they hope she will continue to carry the initiatives forward.
It was necessary to pick someone that was "intimately involved" in the College administration "to minimize and mitigate the disruption to the College," Joshua Marcuse '04 said. Her work with a number of constituencies will also facilitate effective governance, he said.
Folt is equipped with a unique understanding of the president's approach to College issues, according to Tom Peisch '70, former president of the Alumni Council and current chair of the alumni liaison committee.
Folt's appointment did not come as a surprise to many alumni, who said they assumed she would be the interim president due to her current position as the second-highest ranking College administrator and her close relationship with Kim.
These characteristics made Folt "the obvious way to go," Rachel Ciprotti '02 said.
While most alumni offered positive opinions about Folt's nomination, some expressed frustration with the decision.
"Views on Dr. Folt as dean of the faculty were mixed during my time on campus, and the sense of inevitability that surrounded her appointment to the presidency was a bit discouraging," Kevin Hudak '07 said.
By eliminating herself as a potential permanent presidential candidate, Folt made it "clear that her focus is on keeping the College running and not qualifying for a new job," Pete Frederick '65 said. Her announcement means that there is "no question of hidden agendas," Frederick said.
Folt will provide a positive source of continuity during the College's transition, according to Joe Scott '00.
Association of Alumni President John Daukas '84 said Folt has the benefit of being "well-versed" in the culture of the College, having served in a variety of positions.
While most alumni expressed confidence in Folt's ability to be an effective interim president, many said she should focus on continuing current initiatives rather than implementing new programs.
An interim presidency is "not a time to introduce new initiatives, but keep things running," Frederick said.
Former president of the Association of Alumni John Mathias '69 said the function of an interim president is to "keep the waters calm" rather than to set "a new course" for the College.
Folt is partially responsible for the future president's success, Marcuse said.
"Her job is to be the caretaker for the unnamed successor," he said.
Folt's primary concern should be ensuring stability, even if this means "resisting the temptation" to make key decisions, according to Marcuse.
Potential presidential candidates will look to Folt when considering whether or not they wish to take on the role of College president, Marcuse said.
Folt "knows all the ropes" and is "perfectly positioned" to take on the role of acting president, according to Mathias. Alumni Council President Danielle Dyer '81 agreed that her awareness about the College's institutional structure will be an advantage during her tenure as interim president.
Relations with the faculty are an important part of the presidency, and Folt's prior experience as a faculty member and dean of the faculty make her well-suited to the role, Mathias said.
As a former professor at the College, Folt has a unique understanding of the student body, according to Dyer.
"She taught and mentored hundreds of students," she said.
Folt is a strong supporter of the College's emphasis on undergraduate students and of its role as a research institution, and she knows Dartmouth's recent history well, Susanne Kandel '00 said in an email to The Dartmouth.
"She brings both institutional memory, having helped the College through the financial crisis, and, as a leader in the strategic planning process, a vision for the future," she said.
That Folt will be the first female president also marks a "good development" for the College, Mathias said.
"She has to make the position look attractive," he said.
Alumni praised Folt for her past achievements, including navigating the College through financial troubles, creating the Strategic Planning Steering Committee with Kim and being one of the first faculty members involved in the Women in Science program.
"As dean of the faculty, [Folt] led the drive to attract and retain an outstanding faculty by bringing arts and sciences faculty compensation to the level of peer institutions," Alumni Council president-elect Martin Lempres '84 said in an email to The Dartmouth.
President of the Alumni in Entertainment and Media Association Jethro Rothe-Kushel '03 said Folt's academic background and commitment to interdisciplinary education make her a strong appointee.
Class of 1994 representative Grant Bosse '94 said that the speed with which the Board of Trustees made its decision was somewhat alarming.
"There has not been a lot of time to process the choice," he said.
Ciprotti said she believes it is important to "put faith in the Board" when a decision has to be made so quickly and that she remains optimistic about the trustees' choice.
Folt's appointment "gives the board flexibility" to take the time it needs to conduct a proper search for the next president, Uriel Barrera-Vasquez '98 said.
Dyer said she hopes Folt will continue fostering the dialogue regarding high-risk drinking and associated behaviors begun by Kim.
Scott is a former member of The Dartmouth Senior Staff.
