A New Year Ahead for New College Presidents
President Norman Fainstein: Connecticut College
By Pola Rosen, Ed.D.

(First of a Series Interviewing New College Presidents Around the Country)

Norman Fainstein became the President of Connecticut College after many years as an academic at such distinguished institutions as City University and Vassar College. Among the varied challenges he faced were those of 12,000 needy undergrads at City University who had to divide their time between work, study and commuting. In contrast, at Vassar, a residential milieu with small classes and a direct relationship between professor and students prevailed which enabled students to devote all their energies to academic life.

These were the two worlds in which Fainstein forged his skills as an academic leader. Today, Fainstein is excited about being at a first rate liberal arts college with a global orientation. The student body reflects the national trend of more females with over 55% women in attendance.

The changing social demography continues to evolve, according to Fainstein. “Students of color and immigrants need financial support. There should be more opportunities for young people to be integrated into our society,” says Fainstein. “The solution is more state and federal aid, more scholarship aid and more support to students. The problem is the cost of higher education; the government has withdrawn its support.”

In speaking about the state of higher educa-

tion today, Fainstein clearly delineated several important trends. Colleges have become more competitive and are not as ‘need blind’ as before. The technology revolution is becoming an integral part of higher education. Fainstein is on the cutting edge of that technology movement as a member of the national initiative
at Carnegie Mellon which aims to strengthen

technology in liberal arts colleges. Stating that “distance learning is the least important part of that trend,” Fainstein acknowledges that “it is important in adult and professional ventures” and cites the University of Phoenix as being the largest private university in the country to bring faculty to students. “There is a tremendous revolution in the way we understand the world.” In the private sector of higher education, Fainstein opines that our society exhibits a winner take all mentality. Increasing numbers of students recognize and reinforce the value of getting into the top 50 colleges.

In describing the current student body at the University of Connecticut, Fainstein proudly underscores the innovative technology , the popular majors of biology, English and psychology, environmental studies and media studies.

In discussing the mentors in his own life, Fainstein cited Robert Curvin, the dean of the graduate school of management who “brought me into the New School and Paul LeClerc, the president of the New York Public Library” as well as Pat McPherson from whom he learned about leadership styles and moving institutions ahead.

In describing several of the challenges of the college presidency, dealing with the board of trustees, strategic planning and fund raising, Fainstein appears admirably suited to the robes of chief academic.#

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