Executive Director of Ivy League Council Announces Retirement

In a statement released by University of Pennsylvania President and Chair of the Council of Ivy Group Presidents Amy Gutmann, executive director of the council Jeffrey H. Orleans announced his retirement, set for June 30, 2009. As a result, a national search for his successor will commence in Fall 2008.

During his 24 years as executive director, Orleans has served as chief executive officer of the Ivy League athletics conference and has worked in support of non-athletic council initiatives. He became the council’s first full-time executive director in September 1984 and has an extensive resume with a bevy of accomplishments. Orleans directs the council’s reviews of athletics’ recruiting tactics and admissions, in addition to leading the league’s extensive committee governance structure. During his career, the Ivy League has well represented both men and women, providing opportunities for diverse groups of people while finishing among the top conferences in academic performance rankings. Also among his achievements are the league-wide national and regional television and satellite radio agreements that he negotiated with several media outlets.

While many of his successes have come in the world of Ivy League athletics, Orleans was also an integral part of the council’s initiative to formulate policies regarding fair labor standards and environmental sustainability.

Orleans has been a product of the Ivy League since his cum laude graduation from Yale College in 1967 and his 1971 graduation from Yale Law School. Before joining the council, he was a federal civil rights attorney and was instrumental in implementing the Title IX amendments in 1972, which ensured gender equality in student athletics.

Barbara Stevens of the Isaacson, Miller firm will conduct the search for Orleans’ successor, assisted by an advisory committee that includes Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, Columbia’s director of athletics.