UMM's relative autonomy may be compromised

Mary Holz Clause (Grand Forks Herald image)

Strange, or not so strange. U of M-Crookston is not averse at all to reporting its cooperative relationship with our UMM (or maybe it's UMN now). Crookston seems rather proud of the deal, being quite up-front about it all. Meanwhile many of us here back in Morris have seemed quite uninformed. 

All that yours truly had heard was a vague rumor. In the news reporting business we call this "background." I treated it with more or less a shrug. But hey, fast-forward to the past week and the reporting out of NDSU of Fargo. They'd been searching for a new president. An aspirant was the Crookston head, name of Mary Holz Clause. I have taken to thinking of her as "Mrs. Santa Claus." Consider that Crookston is quite far to the north. Limited humor with that. Clause put herself forward as chancellor of Morris in addition to Crookston. No humor there. 

I rather did a double-take. Was listening to KFGO Radio out of Fargo. The story was over the airwaves repeatedly. Clause did not get the NDSU job. But she and one other were reported as "the other finalists." Over and over this was reported, with everyone getting the impression that Crookston and Morris had a joint chancellor. 

I'm assuming this would be disconcerting for our local UMM advocates, of whom I am one. 

Did KFGO screw up? A member of the Morrison family, the most prominent private benefactor for our UMM campus, thought as much. So if she and I were both surprised, I think that reaction was shared. After exploring this topic for about three days now, I rather have a headache. What a tangled web we weave, when we get into academic bureaucracy titles and nuances. 

A UMM person contacted me and indicated, if I'm paraphrasing correctly, that the Crookston person was really just a backup to our Janet Ericksen, on limited matters where Clause might have more experience. I got the impression that maybe the title was ceremonial in connection to Clause. But then why bestow it? Was it misleading? I had to wonder. 

I now am veering in the other direction with my understanding. I really think Crookston might be in the driver's seat. And if true, I believe "The Silver Fox" Jack Imholte would be rolling over in his grave. But these current times are most different from anything that Imholte ever experienced when he was provost (the equivalent to chancellor then). 

Institutions seem to be facing distinct challenges. In UMM's case with liberal arts being the raison d'etre, more so.

Well, I'll personally say congrats to Ms. Clause (or Mrs. Santa Claus) if she is in fact setting the tone for UMM. She is "executive chancellor" while our Ericksen is "acting" here. 

Mary Holz Clause with U-Crookston mascot

I'm not familiar with Clause at all. Has she been introduced in UMM's "Profile" magazine? I think not. 

Yesterday I discovered a whole web page from the U-Crookston site that spells things out pretty clearly. UMM has not been inclined to edify with such enthusiasm. 

Any talk of a chancellor search committee here? I haven't heard it. The institution has let the once-famous Jazz Festival fade away. It has found money to support the highly dubious softball complex, and to hire Sue Dieter for "Relations." Meanwhile it seems cuts continue apace, "buyouts" and the like. The softball complex will not be serving UMM's specific interests at all. We had a long-established UMM softball field that was perfect for the UMM program and its fans. The new arrangement will be inferior.

 

Edifying from up north

My post of today concludes with an article from the U-Crookston site. It is by Michelle Christopherson. I'm happy to share this piece rather than to keep writing myself, 'cause my brain is getting strained. 

Christopherson quotes U of M President Joan Gabel who uses the word "synergy," and that scares me because that was the word used by Forum Communications when it came to Morris to acquire the newspaper. It was empty, throwaway language. 

Christopherson's article concludes with the assertion that the current relationship is "not a step toward merging the Morris and Crookston campuses." 

Well. . . Not sure I take that at face value. It's something the U is obligated to say at this point. The road to hell can be paved with "synergies."  

Forum Communications left Morris amid well-grounded claims that it was going to close the Morris paper. The Anfisons of Benson came here and rescued it. The Hancock paper was never revived. 

From U of M-Crookston:

CROOKSTON, Minn. (March 18, 2021) - Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause has agreed to assume the role of Acting Executive Chancellor for the University of Minnesota Crookston and Morris campuses for a two-year term to support Acting Chancellor Janet Ericksen of Morris starting this summer.

Morris Chancellor Michelle Behr recently announced her retirement--to begin this June--after four years of leadership on the Morris campus. 

“As you know, the headwinds in higher education are nothing short of historic. The pandemic, the economy, and enrollment challenges across Minnesota and nationwide are just a few of the challenges we face," said University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel. “We must, now more than ever, find ways to focus on our academic mission while seeking opportunities to streamline our administrative and ‘back-office’ functions.”  As a result, Gabel notes, the University will wait until spring 2022 before conducting a search for the Morris campus’ next leader.

To assist with the transition and to ensure continuity at the campus level, Crookston Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs John Hoffman will serve as Acting Senior Vice Chancellor during this two-year period. Both campuses have already collaborated closely, creating innovative synergies to further share administrative service models, which already include a shared registrar and admissions team announced last month. These efforts will continue under the leadership of Acting Chancellor Schrunk Ericksen and Acting Executive Chancellor Holz-Clause.

“Morris has a strong liberal arts tradition, while we focus on hands-on learning. This new sharing of leadership is a natural extension of the cohesive working collaboration between UMN Morris and UMN Crookston,” says Holz-Clause. 

According to Holz-Clause, efforts will continue while honoring the campuses’ unique contributions to the System and their respective communities. “At times, transitions  cause concern. Let me assure you, both of our campuses will remain strong and continue to serve our unique students. And we certainly are aware of our 'lean-ness' on the Crookston campus. We look forward to the coming days when we start investing on a greater level into hiring and bringing to campus some of those individuals who are already hired and will be starting soon.”

Gabel says Holz-Clause will provide behind-the-scenes support for Schrunk Ericksen and allow her to benefit from Mary’s experiences as a sitting chancellor. “Mary is an excellent leader who, while leading a very different campus, appreciates those differences and is committed to helping Janet steward the Morris campus through this transition.”

The transition is not a step toward merging the Morris and Crookston campuses, nor their missions. “Those missions are distinct,” Gabel said. “I expect that this collaboration will further the creative innovative synergies that Morris and Crookston have initiated already. Those administrative efforts will continue."