Barnard's Spar-kling Choice

Debora Spar officially began her tenure as president of Barnard College with a successful inauguration yesterday. Statements made by college dignitaries emphasized Spar's credentials to lead Barnard and called attention to the history and characteristics of the college itself. The Barnard community and its affiliates should be proud of our new president and of the people that came together to celebrate her initiation on Thursday.

The ceremony featured speakers like University President Lee Bollinger and Barnard board of trustees chair Anna Quindlen, who repeatedly underscored Barnard's special place among colleges and the high quality of its education. Events like Thursday's inauguration provide opportunities to contemplate Barnard's evolving role.

While others reflected on the college's past, Spar was right to look ahead. In her speech, she addressed goals and plans for the future. Specifically, she plans to make Barnard a more international school and establish a research fund for faculty. Spar also dealt with the question of choice: the new choices available to today's women and the responsibilities that these choices imply. Perhaps most excitingly, Spar announced plans to establish a program in the study and theory of women's leadership. This announcement immediately indicated that the new president is forward-thinking and ready to devote her attention to the unique challenges and strengths of Barnard.

In the coming months and years, the president should work on spelling out the college's relationship with the University as a whole and more clearly identifying Barnard's goals as a women's college of the 21st century. In choosing a woman who thinks deeply and speaks eloquently about the privileges and obligations of choice, it is evident Barnard has made the correct choice.