CalStuff: News. Observations.

Thoughts on Birgeneau

I hate having to look up his name online every time I want to write about him.
The University of Toronto seems to be a school similar enough to Berkeley that there should not be a problem for him transferring here and adjusting to us.
The Univeristy of Toronto is apparently rather upset ("vexed") that Birgeneau is abandoning them. This is a great sign, except that part of their consternation over his exit is probably based on having to go through the process of finding a new leader for their school. Regardless of that, if they were not upset he was leaving, that would be cause for major concern on our part.
As tactless as it may be to point it out, Birgeneau being a white male reassures me about his competency. When a school that prides itself on its diversity selects a white male, then you know you don't have to worry about concerns over diversity motivating the selection of an inferior candidate. On the other hand, accusations that personal connections between Dynes and Birgeneau were responsible for his selection, are thoroughly un-reassuring.
His reputation is that if he can do one thing well, then it's raise money, which is sadly, apparently going to be very necessary in the coming years.
When the school year resumes and he eventually sets up shop in Berkeley, he will likely begin discussing his plans for his tenure and announce what some of his first initiatives shall be. When this occurs, I will have more to say about him.