'This is really the right time.' Longtime Boston University president reflects on his decision to step down, his legacy at the school, and leading through COVID.
Boston University President Robert Brown listens to a speaker during a groundbreaking ceremony for Boston University's Center for Integrated Life Sciences & Engineering, May 14, 2015. Boston University's Robert Brown announced Wednesday he'll leave the post at the end of the academic year.
He joins the presidents of Tufts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Dartmouth College and Emmanuel College, who are also stepping down.All Things ConsideredHighlights from this interview have been lightly edited for clarity."I've done it for a while, and there naturally comes a time when those transitions should happen. And secondly, a university has a natural rhythm to it in terms of where you are.
"The whole set of decisions around remote versus in-person learning and reopening the university were highly controversial. There were students, faculty and staff on both sides of that line. And the interesting thing, I think, is that when you look back at the way we handled it — giving the options to the students, who are the people who we're here for — we're going to look back and say those were the right decisions to make, although they were very difficult.
"Other things — like a building on the skyline, the building of the testing laboratory during COVID — those are examples of that confidence. But the confidence itself is what will have a long-lasting impact.""I'm scared. I used to teach and, I thought, taught well in my time, before being provost at MIT. I'm looking forward to it, but I have not been in the classroom with this generation of students, which I'm sure is going to be an interesting experience.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Robert Brown, who led Boston University since 2005, will step down next springBrown noted noted BU's strength as a major research institution, and its growth in diversity and financial aid, as among his proudest accomplishments.
Read more »
Boston author William Giraldi writes about the pitfalls of superstardom in 'About Face'REVIEW: Giraldi's latest novel explores the power of celebrity and how a pretty face can open lots of doors, some of which may have been better off left shut.
Read more »
You Can Now Book a Night at a Luxury Trailer in This Boston HotelParty—or sleep—like a rockstar in Fenway Park. Your choice.
Read more »
See photographs of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Boston in 1976In 1976, Queen Elizabeth II visited the United States as the country celebrated its 200th birthday. Her last stop on the tour was Boston:
Read more »
In Boston, BPS students navigate around Orange Line shutdown on first day of schoolBy the end of the day, just half of school buses arrived before the opening bell while some parents spoke of frustrations of long delays at bus stops or lack of communication.
Read more »