What would Jefferson do? In my previous article, I concluded that the presidential search was in the hands of the wealthiest alumni. Thomas Jefferson would be spinning in his grave if he knew this were the case since "experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor." Ironically, these alumni probably want to take the University back to the days of Jefferson. So what would Jefferson think about this?
"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past," stated Jefferson. That sounds pretty straightforward. It is more important to consider where the next president will take us than to employ one who will only remind us of where we have been. Not convinced that this was what Jefferson really wanted? "Every generation needs a new revolution." Twenty years of status quo count as a generation in need of a revolution.
This leads me to conclude that, according to our founder, the University would be best off with a progressive president. In order to be a progressive, an important trait should include being assertive and outspoken on controversial issues. Although Jefferson is not necessarily opposed to people with these qualities, he is cautious to say the least. "Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong," said Jefferson.
To know who we should be searching for, we have to critically examine our current president and determine if we want followers of the same path or those who branch off as trailblazers.
So what would Casteen's legacy be in the eyes of Jefferson? On one hand, Jefferson would condemn Casteen for being antithesis of change. On the other, Jefferson would applaud Casteen for rarely being wrong because of his reluctance to take a stance on most issues.
For the rest of us, Casteen's legacy will be difficult to determine at this time because he was so absent from the University. Save for a couple of speeches a year and a cameo during commencement, does anyone around here (besides a few deans and provosts) get to really interact with Casteen? Except for the Living Wage Campaign incident where 17 students and 1 professor were arrested for practicing civil disobedience, has Casteen ever invested himself in the voices of the student body, the relations between faculty and staff, or the welfare of the Charlottesville community? If Casteen were judged on that sole instance where he took a stand, it would not be unfair to conclude that Casteen was dismissive towards students and faculty as well as aloof to the needs of the community.
Even as a figurehead, Casteen has done some good for the University. In these economic times where state budget cuts have the potential to impede the University's prestige, Casteen has done an above average job balancing the checkbook. Yes, there was an unusually high increase in tuition and yes, clubs and organizations have had budget cuts, but for the most part, we are faring well compared to our "public ivy" counterparts such as Berkeley and Michigan.
Casteen has kept the University afloat during these past 20 years, but we are still stuck in the middle of a lake, trapped between the traditions of the past and the potentials of the future. Fortunately, he has also laid the monetary foundations and all we have to do is cross to the other side. The question remains whether our next president is going to be a paddle that helps get us there, an obstacle that forces us to turn around, or another Casteen, merely acting as a buoy.
Hung Vu is an opinion writer for the Cavalier Daily. he can be reached at h.vu@cavalierdaily.com.
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