<p>I am really disturbed at the criticism of Chancellor Gee in this thread. As a leader, I’m sure he had a variety of people involved in efforts to make Vanderbilt a more diverse institution. Perhaps he and others didn’t optimize the language that was used in communicating this one effort of what has been a many pronged strategy to improve diversity, but that doesn’t make him or Vanderbilt “evil.”<br>
Chancellor Gee’s decision to return to Ohio State was met with sadness by all members of my family last summer. D was studying in Berlin at the time and S at work in DC when e-mails and IMs began flying between us on the afternoon of the announcement. Chancellor Gee did so much during his time at Vanderbilt to develop a cohesive student body. The Commons project is part of the vision he established with his leadership team to make the college experience a more open, more cohesive one that de-emphasizes the Greek dominated campus culture. I know of many ways he moved among and with the student body - meeting/greeting students and parents on move-in day with bow tie cookies, attending parties at fraternity houses, attending many other campus events, leading the student body in taking the field at football games and charging the court following the VU victory over #1, undefeated Florida during the 06-07 basketball season, hosting a senior send off party during commencement, and inviting student leaders to dinners on a frequent basis. I was always impressed by the fact that Chancellor Gee was so confident in his own religious beliefs as a Mormon, but so tolerant of the actions/customs of others. For example, attending parties where alcohol was prominent for of age students without criticizing based on his personal belief system.
Like all of us, Gordon Gee is not perfect. He is, however, an outstanding university leader.</p>