This June, President William R. Greiner will step down from his role at UB, making good on his commitment to serve no more than 13 years in that capacity. He will return to teaching, at UB, as he always said he would upon completion of his tenure as UB's thirteenth president. While The Spectrum has not agreed with every decision the president has made, we acknowledge and appreciate his contributions as a leader to the University at Buffalo and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Greiner will leave behind an impressive legacy of growth and development at UB. During the past decade, five new apartment complexes, a stadium and the Center for the Arts were built. The university ascended to Division 1-A athletics, with Greiner attending each and every football game, whether home or away. He was a figurehead of consolation and reason during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, spending hours among the students in the Student Union. He welcomed world leaders, diplomats, naturalists and rock stars to UB, upholding and improving the university's reputation and viability as an international leader in research, academics and development. Greiner made a point to make himself accessible to students who needed help and guidance or - in our case - information for an article in The Spectrum, and for that his administration will be remembered fondly.
UB has announced that a nationwide search for Greiner's replacement will be conducted, a wise decision for the future of the university. UB owes it to its students, faculty and administrators to find the best possible replacement to become UB's fourteenth president. While there are certainly potential candidates who are qualified within UB's current administration, a search limited only to UB will not allow those candidates to fully demonstrate the ability and talent they would bring to the role of presidency, if selected. Just as we would not wish to see an election with the only possible candidate on the ballot - regardless of how qualified the candidate is - we would not want to see UB sell itself short in this matter.
The incoming president will have a number of matters to oversee - handling budgetary issues, continuing the Lee Road Project and ensuring safety for UB students and faculty who live on or around South Campus. Additionally, the next president must be committed to raising admissions standards and furthering the development of undergraduate programs to match UB's graduate prowess.
UB needs an indefatigable advocate for students, and if such a person can be found in the president, it can only help morale among the student body. Greiner served that job well and his legacy as president will reflect that. The Spectrum hopes the individual who follows him will continue that tradition, making the most of their visibility and influence when working toward the improvement of the education and lives of UB students.
The challenges that face the leader of any university, and especially one the size of UB, are substantial. Our president must be enthusiastic and willing to take on those challenges and to lead UB in its continuing development as a research, teaching, student life and community service university. The fourteenth president of UB should strive, in short, to be as strong a leader as the thirteenth has been.
