<p>JHS - I agree with idad here. All Zimmer has been doing/proposing is the exact same strategy that Sonnenschein started at U of C in the late 90s. Don Michael Randel followed Sonnenschein’s plans as well, but he did so with a charisma and affable nature that made the entire scheme much more palatable to the University Community. I was disappointed to see Randel leave so soon, because he drove the U of C forward with diligence and a personal touch.</p>
<p>Zimmer, unfortunately, seems to have more of Sonnenschein’s detached, arrogant air. Remember, all three presidents want essentially the same thing - for Chicago to once again compete head-to-head with the big boys, but their methods have differed. Randel was friendly, accessible, and open. Zimmer and Sonnenschein were/are detached and aloof.</p>
<p>As I’m sure you know, being a University President requires appealing - or at least giving the impression of appealing - to all of your constituent groups. I think Zimmer has done a better job of maintaining good ties with the faculty and researchers, but he has put the undergrads on the backburner in terms of keeping up appearances. Of late, he has also made statements of “needing to get at least 15000 applications a year,” something that may not go over well with the Admissions Office. </p>
<p>To conclude, I think Dean O’Neill just got tired of it. Starting with Sonnenschein, and then improving a bit but continuing under Randel, and now with Zimmer leading with Sonnenschein’s characteristic (and not exactly beloved) air, I think O’Neill had enough. Remember, Behnke was brought in to further Sonnenschein’s goals, and I think while O’Neill grew to enjoy his work with Behnke, Dean O’Neill is not particularly pleased with the gradually - but inexorably - changing approach at the College.</p>