The University of Minnesota will have its first woman president if the Board of Regents as expected this morning votes in favor of the lone finalist, South Carolina Provost Joan Gabel. During Friday’s public interview Gabel said student safety is one of the University’s biggest challenges — and called for a partnership with the business community in areas where students frequent, so those making good choices “are able to do so, aren’t overly pressured in ways, otherwise overly tempted.” Gabel elicited chuckles from the board when she said she’s a big believer in keeping students busy with things like intramural sports, student organizations and work-study, so they “go to bed happy and tired.”
Gabel says students should get information during orientation on the value of good choices, plus the University’s police force should be “student-centric” and have good partnerships with surrounding law enforcement agencies.
The U-of-M’s current president, Eric Kaler, steps down next July.
More in this excerpt from Friday’s public interview: