He's an Evangelical Christian who is known for bringing his personal convictions to the job.
Without apologies.
He says exactly what he thinks should be done to shake our party image, offering unpopular and even off-the-wall suggestions.
Without apologies.
He has proposed an alcohol-free campus, supported prayer at graduation and within the community and seeks to raise tuition by percentages in the double digits.
Without apologies.
There is a pattern with Walter Wendler, the man who took the helm of the long-troubled position of SIUC chancellor just 10 months ago. This pattern is both encouraging and disturbing.
We were searching for a leader from outside of campus with real vision. We needed someone who was unafraid to go against the grain and speak armed with conviction. We sure got it.
Wendler has the potential to be a great chancellor and embody all of the traits this University needs to succeed.
"Academic mission" is practically a Wendler catch phrase. His work with Southern at 150 shows a real dedication to bringing this University up to par with similar institutions. As a first-generation college student, he knows how his much-opposed 18 percent tuition increase could affect that demographic. He admitted to our editorial board that the decision came so late in the semester because he did not want to take such a drastic move. But he proposed it anyway, because he firmly believed that extra funds are necessary to get SIUC back on track, and we agree.
He safeguarded summer courses that were important to the student body while cutting corners, such as scaling back awards ceremonies.
He has grand plans for this University to be a student "workship." The first such program in the nation would be a large-scale pairing of students with jobs from their majors. This would no doubt increase enrollment and make the college experience far richer and more valuable for students.
However, his reactionary decision making, often derived from personal beliefs instead of simple, sensible solutions, give cause for worry.
Wendler's stance on prayer and an alcohol-free campus have us wondering if SIU students of the future will be forced to wear uniforms and sing gospel songs.
The Daily Egyptian respects that Wendler is bold enough to take unpopular action, but we wonder why he seems to pick peculiar channels for this action.
In response to a handful of angry citizens and his own beliefs, Wendler proposed to take alcohol away from Turley Park Sunset Concerts.
The Turley problem clearly stems from the organization of the event, not the alcohol. The Daily Egyptian recommended solving residents' problems by simply changing the venue from a residential area and providing more restroom facilities to thwart public urination.
SIUC has an image tainted by Halloween past, but an alcohol-free campus is not a solution that makes a lot of sense.
The problem is clearly Halloween festivities, not the alcohol.
Something needed to be done about campus traffic-related accidents. Wendler responded quickly, lowering the speed limit by 5 mph with little research. Campus accidents continued. Perhaps there was an alternative that would have better rectified the situation, such as strategically placed speed humps.
These situations are demonstrative of one of the chancellor's administrative problems. He acts too swiftly without first weighing all of the options. It is great to act with conviction, but we would like to see a little more backup for those convictions before implementing initiatives that affect everyone.
The chancellor is well-advised to run this University a little more democratically, learning to balance personal creeds with the beliefs and lifestyles of the majority before it comes down to decision time.
He also needs to carefully consider all options instead of jumping straight to decisions when only the few cry wolf.
To take this University to greatness, Wendler must first take the pulse of the students, because even with all the right equipment, he seems to have missed a beat.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
