"He believes that every tub should be on itsown bottom," says Business School alumnus WarrenAlpert, who last year pledged $20 million to theMedical School. "But that isn't what Rudenstinebelieves. Rudenstine believes that [resources]ought to be spread around."
Some observers suggest that Rudenstine isspending a significant amount of time trying toencourage McArthur's cooperation.
"It's not easy," says the high-rankingUniversity official. "I think that the presidenthas his goals and will push and is fairlyrelentless in finding all sorts of ways to try todo that. He'll keep working with him."
Others defend McArthur as deeply concernedabout what goes on at the University beyond theBusiness School.
"John McArthur is acting...in a way that showsthat he is trying to deal with the broader issuesof the University," says Education School DeanJerome T. Murphy. "Within that context he isacting like a team player."
Still, Murphy concedes, "I don't know what goeson when Neil Rudenstine sits down with JohnMcArthur to negotiate these kinds of issuesbecause I'm not privy to those conversations."
Provost Jerry R. Green--who last springadmitted that he thought it "a little bit strange"that he is not allowed to use the BusinessSchool's opulent new Shad Hall gymnasium--saysMcArthur is cooperating fully in implementingRudenstine's mission.
"I can say, in my experience...that BusinessSchool faculty members have been very open andeager to cooperate," Green says.
Even McArthur's critics acknowledge that thedean's participation at the University-wide levelhas increased some what under Rudenstine.
"Is the Business School doing a better job thanit was? Yes," says a senior University official."Is it doing as well as one might wish, or is itunhappy with what it might be doing? Those are theinteresting questions."
And, while McArthur's critics and friends maydisagree on how eager the dean is to cooperatewith Rudenstine, they concur that cooperation isvital to the Rudenstine vision--and to theUniversity's future.
Seen in that light, more negative publicitylike that of the past week is not likely to beviewed with a kind eye by Massachusetts Hall.
Concludes Alpert, "Is McArthur going to fightRudenstine? I don't know. But they're going tohave to come together, or both will be out ofjobs."
If there is a fight, McArthur has the financialmuscle of the Business School's alumni to use asleverage. He can also go public.
But Alpert suggests that Rudenstine holds thetrump card. "If McArthur doesn't carry his end ofthe business he's out. O-U-T, out. He'll beretired early. He's either got to listen toRudenstine or he's out."
The end game in the Business School battle maybe about power, and Rudenstine may ultimately havethe advantage. But between now and the end of thegame, there will be a fair amount of discussionabout the details of independence and cooperation.
How much McArthur can pay his faculty, whetherthe Business School can grant Ph. D's, and how,exactly, the Business School will share its donorswill all be topics for discussion. Whether that isa public discussion is up to McArthur.