"I think he's someone who can promote that dialogue, because he's thoughtful, he's thought real hard about government, he's not an ideologue," says Julie B. Wilson, a member of Rudenstine's advisory committee and secretary of the Kennedy School. "I think the forum at the Kennedy School ought to be open for all perspectives to test their ideas, and I think his own personal thoughtfulness and style set their own tone."
As if refdefining the school's mission were not task enough, Nye also faces the chronic problem of a lack of diversity in the faculty.
According to figures provided by Kennedy School spokesperson Steve Singer, there are only two women and four minorities among the school's 43 tenured professors.
Most members of the school agree that diversity on the faculty is a problem. But almost all faculty interviewed--black or white, male or female--say that the school has made strides in recent years, and that any imbalance in gender and race numbers is not for lack of trying.
Back in Town?
Nye says he has not had a chance to talk extensively with faculty and administrators since he became dean-designate.
He was unable to be in Cambridge for the August 20 announcement of his appointment; the deaths of three diplomats near Sarajevo, all of whom were his colleagues, demanded that he be in Washington.
In late August, he gave a speech before a national security program at the Kennedy School, an event he says was planned before he agreed to become dean. He spoke with some key faculty members and administrators, including Rudenstine, after that speech.
Nye says he plans to return to Cambridge to meet with faculty and students at some point in the middle of October.