For Spar, Clinton’s Visit Marks a Debut

While much attention was devoted to Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) during her press conference on Monday, eyes were also on new Barnard president Debora Spar as she marked her first major event as the college’s head.

As Clinton noted, it was only the 62nd day of Spar’s tenure, but already Spar’s schedule has filled up quickly—it includes, she said, a pending interview with Katie Couric in addition to her regular schedule of meetings at the college. The Clinton event was the most high-profile appearance on Spar’s campus thus far.

At the event, Spar, who pioneered research in the economics of alternative fertility at Harvard Business School, tapped into her own scholastic history in highlighting the importance of the conference’s call for pay equity for women. Barnard administrators who attended the event said they saw her academic background in these areas as an enormous asset to the college—one that may revitalize Barnard, promote discussion, and compel political figures and activists to seek out the school in increased numbers.

Since Spar’s own scholarship relates to women’s studies and issues about the global economy, Barnard Dean Dorothy Denburg said that she was not surprised that Clinton would choose Barnard to deliver her press conference.

“Her [Spar’s] ability to talk knowledgeably to the senator and the Congresswoman [Carolyn Maloney] about these issues with specificity and expertise means that we’ll have a lot more public officials wanting to engage in conversation with our faculty and students here on campus,” Denburg said. She said the event launched the year—and Spar’s presidency at Barnard—on a “high note.”

Barnard Provost Elizabeth Boylan gave a similar assessment, remarking that Spar’s background allowed her to speak with “insight and depth” while engaging the speakers and opening up the issues for discussion.

“She’s a political economist, and brings to bear all the analytical powers that training gives her ... with an opportunity to have on the stage with her such obviously accomplished women,” Boylan said.

To Spar, the event was a success in that it demonstrated what she imagines a liberal arts college to be capable of—bringing people of substance and expertise to campus to engage both students and faculty.

“I think that very much captures the way I see Barnard’s role in educating young women—not only on ‘women’s issues,’ but on all issues,” Spar said. “I think that’s really what a college should do, to get people with expertise and a substantive background to engage in issues like that.”

With little over a month to go before Spar’s official inauguration, Clinton herself had a few choice words for the new president about pay equity. The words could also apply to the new president more broadly.

“We have work to do,” Clinton said, “and President Spar certainly understands that.”

alix.pianin@columbiaspectator.com