Legitimacy in the Academic Presidency: From Entrance to Exit

How did the 1990s and early 21st century impact the evolution of the college presidency? The legitimacy and performance of higher education were called into question during this period, and respect for some of its leaders declined. An economic downturn and the concomitant change of student enrollment patterns have required presidents to lead in compromised conditions. The new emphasis on financial management and fund raising has opened the job of academic president to those with nontraditional backgrounds. These new presidents must gain legitimacy differently from those of more traditional backgrounds, who are struggling with their own legitimacy challenges. In order to understand legitimacy, Bornstein has applied theory from the social sciences and higher education literature, proposing five factors that influence presidential legitimacy: Individual, Institutional, Environmental, Technical, and Moral. She also proposes six threats to legitimacy: Lack of Cultural Fit, Management Incompetence, Misconduct, Erosion of Social Capital, Inattentiveness, and Grandiosity. In light of these threats, she suggests strategies for gaining and maintaining legitimacy. This book focuses on the impetus for leading change. Bornstein draws on numerous sources for a theoretical perspective on the factors associated with the president's role in creating legitimate change. She proposes a construct of four factors to implement legitimate change: Presidential Leadership, Governance, Social Capital, and Fund Raising. The concepts of transformational and transactional leadership are examined for their ability to facilitate change. Bornstein finds their effectiveness limited and proposes "transformative leadership," a contextual approach that fits between transformational and transactional leadership in the conceptual continuum. Since presidents are often recruited on the basis of their academic experience, their legitimacy depends on securing resources to strengthen or transform their institution; fund raising is essential. Finally, Bornstein discusses legitimacy in the presidential succession process--presidents who reinvent themselves and their institutions for another cycle, a presidency at another institution, or retirement. Factors that influence succession legitimacy and the rites of passage are examined, as are threats to succession legitimacy.