SOUTH KINGSTOWN –– He is only a candidate for the presidency of the University of Rhode Island, but Robert D. Newman, a dean at the University of Utah, spoke with convincing authority Thursday about the issues facing URI in challenging economic times. He outlined the direction he would take the university –– but said he would lead in collaboration with students, faculty, administrators and alumni.
During a public forum at the Memorial Union during an all-day visit to URI's Kingston campus, Newman, 57, revealed a sense of humor and a passion for poetry and animals, including the two dogs and parrot he and his wife, Vicky, own. He candidly addressed controversy, notably a lawsuit brought by a University of Utah professor he demoted after, Newman said, the man made repeated derogatory comments about women.
And he gave a bit of his life's story. The son of a government clerk and a man who did not finish high school, Newman grew up in Philadelphia and earned a doctoral degree in English before teaching and becoming an administrator. He is currently dean of the University of Utah's College of Humanities.
"I enjoy the challenge of making a real difference in the lives of students, faculty and the people of the wider university community," said Newman, who drew applause after the hour-long forum. "As a first-generation college student myself, I believe passionately in the social contract between public higher education and our state and national citizens."
URI, Newman said, stands "prominently at a point of transformation –– demographically, financially, but also programmatically." He said his skills as a fundraiser at the University of Utah, where he brought in $17 million from non-state sources for a new College of Humanities building, among other accomplishments, would benefit URI as it seeks to improve the quality of its education –– and seeks to become a research leader. He said he would work to increase alumni contributions while broadening financial aid for students.
"A major leap forward requires an entrepreneurial dynamism. Taking advantage of 'the New England knowledge corridor' to create umbrella research agreements with industry, international partnerships and with other universities, enhanced federal and foundation support, elevating alumni giving well above the very low 9.6 percent level you currently have, and a primary focus on capital campaign and development activities" are crucial tasks for the next URI president, he said.
The new president, who will succeed Robert L. Carothers, will be chosen next month. Newman, second of three finalists to visit the state, will be at URI's Providence campus Friday morning for more meetings and another public forum.
In the question period that followed his opening statement, Newman said he appreciates the role athletics play in the vitality of a major university, calling them essential. He pledged to make URI a greener school if chosen to head it. Asked about his personal life, he first joked that he works all the time.
Then he said: "I am in love with my wife of 26 years." Vicky would have joined him, he said, except that one of their two dogs –– both rescued from pounds –– is near death from acute leukemia and she wanted to be with the animal when it dies. He called their parrot "constantly irritating" and also "captivating and absolutely satanic," a description that drew laughter.
No laughter accompanied his explanation of a lawsuit, about which a URI teacher asked. Filed by Hebrew Studies professor Harris Lenowitz, the defamation suit claims that Newman wrongly dismissed him from a leadership position at the university's Middle East Center.
In remarks lasting more than seven minutes, Newman said he had no choice but to demote Lenowitz after investigating complaints that the professor's repeated derogatory comments about women had created a "hostile environment and toxic workplace." Several members of the audience groaned when they heard his veiled description of a word allegedly used to describe women –– including at faculty meetings, Newman said.
He took the action, he said, with the support of the University of Utah's president, provost and general counsel.
"I felt that it would be absolutely remiss of me not to do something about this," Newman said. "I believe very strongly in gender equality … I believe very strongly in diversity."
Newman said that notice of the suit was e-mailed to Salt Lake City and Rhode Island media outlets before he was even served with the suit. The e-mail was sent to The Providence Journal by Lenowitz's attorney, Kathy Wyer –– who, Newman said, is the demoted professor's wife.