USF leader begins by listening

By BARRY KLEIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 6, 2000

TAMPA -- Judy Genshaft spent her first 90 minutes as University of South Florida president doing something likely to become very familiar -- listening to professors gripe.

They complained about declining numbers of Ph.D. candidates and increasing levels of bureaucracy. Some weren't happy with the university's Web site. No one was happy about the parking shortage on campus.

Genshaft, however, was quite content with Wednesday's breakfast discussion, which doubled as her introduction to about two dozen of USF's most distinguished faculty members.

"It's very important for me to hear what's bothering people," said Genshaft, 52, a psychologist, the mother of two small boys and the former provost at the University at Albany, State University of New York, an institution about half the size of USF.

"I'll be spending a lot of my time listening to people's concerns," she said. "There's a lot to learn."

That's not all Genshaft did during a long, and occasionally strange, first day on the job.

She accepted a $1-million donation from the Tampa Bay History Center to endow teaching, research and public education programs.

She pledged to fight any effort to dismantle USF's regional campus system, which came under serious assault during the past legislative session.

She said it makes no sense to students or taxpayers to convert the university's branches in St. Petersburg and Sarasota into independent schools.

"I'm really glad she's here," said Bill Heller, dean of the St. Petersburg campus and a loud advocate for USF's expansion in Pinellas County. "I think she's going to be very good for us."

Genshaft also took several opportunities to declare her intention to raise USF, which has 36,000 students, to a national-class institution.

She wants to increase financial assistance to graduate students, whom she considers the backbone of USF's growing research efforts. She is counting on continuing benefits from USF's move into big-time football.

"Is that what she said?" asked USF athletic director Paul Griffin, who said Genshaft has not yet requested the opportunity to call plays, as did her predecessor Betty Castor. "I'm happy to hear she feels that way."

But there were some unusual moments, too.

Genshaft, for example, spent an hour tromping through large puddles and 90-degree heat while inspecting several campus construction projects still months from completion.

University officials scheduled the event to satisfy the visual needs of the media, a sizable number of whom trailed her throughout the day.

Genshaft never complained. She never even broke a sweat.

"I think this is just fascinating," she said, completely ignoring the mud caking her shoes.

Genshaft, USF's sixth president, will be paid $232,000 annually, $5,000 more than Castor. She was selected by University System Chancellor Adam Herbert in March.

Though she has visited the university several times since being named president, Genshaft maintained a hands-off approach during the transition, leaving decisions to interim leader Richard Peck.

One of her first challenges will be replacing key staffers who left in recent months. They include Kathy Stafford, the vice president for advancement, and Provost Tom Tighe, the university's chief academic officer.

A national search has already begun for Stafford's replacement, who will direct fundraising. It could be several months to a year before a new provost is hired, said David Stamps, who will handle the job in the interim.

Meanwhile, Genshaft has some loose ends to deal with in her personal life. She and her husband, Steven Greenbaum, a marketing consultant, were able to sell their house a few days ago. But they still must buy a house here, which Genshaft said will not be at taxpayer expense.

She said they are looking at homes within a short drive of the university. They could live in Lifsey House, the university's on-campus presidential mansion. Genshaft said she will stay there for several weeks and will continue to use it for official functions.

But she does not consider the mansion, which is filled with original art, a particularly warm environment for her two sons, ages three and six.

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