Faster, Better, Cheaper Degrees in Doubt

For the past 33 years Boston University has been led
by the controversial take-no-prisoners meritocracy of John Silber. After
busting up an incipient faculty union by firing dozens of professors,
the one time Silber enjoyed the support of a majority of the faculty
was when he ran for governor, and then only because we realized
it was the only way we could conceivably get rid of the guy. Unfortunately,
he self-destructed in vitriol and lost.

Somehow, like an ancient third-world icon hovering over
a captive population who know no other leader, he’s still there. However,
lately
there are signs his grip may be weakening. Last month Silber officially
anointed a successor, former NASA chief Daniel S. Goldin. Today Goldin
is in hot water even before ascending to the throne – because of his
last job.

Goldin, whose claim to fame and defining buzzwords at NASA
were "Better, Faster, Cheaper" has been identified as a major culprit
in the "culture of fear" which reigned at the Agency and which was responsible
for the Colombia Shuttle disaster.

A detailed report released yesterday names Goldin frequently and describes
his tenure as a period of "continuous turmoil." He brought new
management techniques, cut the NASA work force by 25 percent, and triggered
the resignation of the head of the shuttle program.

Goldin also had a habit of "shooting the messenger," former
NASA chief historian Roger D. Launius said. "That led to
a culture of fear," said Launius, now at
the National Air and Space Museum. "People didn’t want to bring
him information they knew he wouldn’t like, and that’s a very dangerous
thing."

He should feel right at home at BU…
article from the Boston Globe