Following a day in the life of Chancellor Gearhart
Brian Washburn
Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: News
Chancellor G. David Gearhart might be recognizable to nearly everybody on the UA campus. He might live in the White House-esque Fowler House. His office might contain a direct view of Reynolds Razorback Stadium. And he also might host society functions attended by the UA elite at his house.
However, after the speeches, the calls, the chores and everyday activities Gearhart endures throughout his daily life, one thing is certain: with enormous perks comes enormous responsibility.
The chancellor's day begins earlier than anyone can image - 5 a.m. for a workout. Though his days might consume the bulk of his energy, Gearhart said he feels much better on the days he works out before his duties begin.
Last Friday, after his morning workout, the chancellor attended a different kind of meeting, one in which he visited the UA Starbucks, bought drinks for students and discussed with them morning classes, the weather and unusual dreams. This is the first time Gearhart has done this sort of thing at Starbucks, as UA students quickly learned their chancellor is not a coffee drinker, but a Diet Coke drinker.
After students approached the chancellor to thank him for their drinks, Gearhart retreated to his office in the Administration Building for a bit of daily work, which included returning phone calls and e-mails and preparing speeches for upcoming events.
Friday's work also consisted of a couple of controversies, however.
The highlight of last weekend - Houston Nutt's return to the UA - was brought to full focus Thursday when Gearhart was quoted as saying the fans shouldn't boo Nutt.
Gearhart received several e-mails from disgruntled Razorback fans who stressed their displeasure with the chancellor's choice of words in the article.
"I've learned to keep my mouth shut about athletics," Gearhart said during a meeting with the UA Executive Advisory Board later in the morning.
The other controversy of the day regarded Gearhart's position on undocumented students attending college in Arkansas. A decision was made earlier in the semester to force these students to pay out-of-state tuition instead of in-state tuition, but Gearhart decided to allow private scholarship funding to help the 25 undocumented students already at the UA to remain in school.
However, after the speeches, the calls, the chores and everyday activities Gearhart endures throughout his daily life, one thing is certain: with enormous perks comes enormous responsibility.
The chancellor's day begins earlier than anyone can image - 5 a.m. for a workout. Though his days might consume the bulk of his energy, Gearhart said he feels much better on the days he works out before his duties begin.
Last Friday, after his morning workout, the chancellor attended a different kind of meeting, one in which he visited the UA Starbucks, bought drinks for students and discussed with them morning classes, the weather and unusual dreams. This is the first time Gearhart has done this sort of thing at Starbucks, as UA students quickly learned their chancellor is not a coffee drinker, but a Diet Coke drinker.
After students approached the chancellor to thank him for their drinks, Gearhart retreated to his office in the Administration Building for a bit of daily work, which included returning phone calls and e-mails and preparing speeches for upcoming events.
Friday's work also consisted of a couple of controversies, however.
The highlight of last weekend - Houston Nutt's return to the UA - was brought to full focus Thursday when Gearhart was quoted as saying the fans shouldn't boo Nutt.
Gearhart received several e-mails from disgruntled Razorback fans who stressed their displeasure with the chancellor's choice of words in the article.
"I've learned to keep my mouth shut about athletics," Gearhart said during a meeting with the UA Executive Advisory Board later in the morning.
The other controversy of the day regarded Gearhart's position on undocumented students attending college in Arkansas. A decision was made earlier in the semester to force these students to pay out-of-state tuition instead of in-state tuition, but Gearhart decided to allow private scholarship funding to help the 25 undocumented students already at the UA to remain in school.
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