Editorials

An unwelcome departure

By the

February 5, 2004


Last week, Professor G. John Ikenberry of the Government Department announced he would be leaving Georgetown for Princeton University, his alma mater, at the end of this semester. Ikenberry cites the move to Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs as the next step in achieving his personal and professional goals. Most specifically, Princeton will fund Ikenberry’s extensive five-year project on the future of multilateralism in foreign policy.

Although it is difficult to tell whether Ikenberry would have stayed at Georgetown if the University had funded this project, his departure raises several questions about Georgetown’s institutional priorities. Georgetown may be strapped for cash, but the University should value attracting and retaining academic leaders over hiring additional Social Norms coordinators and Vice Presidents.

Ikenberry, who previously taught at Princeton from 1984 to 1992, provided strong incentive for other talented faculty and graduate students to join the University community. While the University has pledged to search for a similarly qualified successor to Ikenberry, it should also consider working actively towards retaining current professors, by showing support for research projects and increasing salaries and benefits.

The presence of professors well-respected in their fields only enhances the extent and quality of students’ learning and further augments the stature of the university. Ikenberry’s departure could start an exodus of other talented Georgetown professors, who may follow Ikenberry’s lead to greater opportunities elsewhere.

Georgetown’s high academic caliber attracts academics at the top of their fields. In order to keep such professors around, however, the University needs to show financial support of them and their projects. Georgetown should take proactive steps to avoid losing other great professors to the glitter of the Ivy League.



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