The list of candidates for the University at Albany presidency ("UAlbany finalists revealed," July 26) indicates the elimination of humanities programs has damaged the reputation of the university to an extent that candidates of high intellectual caliber or from top research universities are not willing to be considered.
In this intellectual vacuum, what will happen, and has actually happened before, at all levels of administration at UAlbany is that the inside candidates who have no vision but a strong network of connections (current and previous) get selected. UAlbany does not need another inside candidate (whether connected to the university or to the SUNY chancellor) whose main claim to the presidency consists of network connections.
UAlbany deserves a candidate of high intellectual standing with a coherent vision about academic values and priorities in higher education.
ROBERT H. FAIVRE
Professor of English
SUNY-Adirondack
Queensbury