Talk:Nicholas Dirks

Request Edit
I am writing to request edits to this article on UC Berkeley's previous chancellor, Nicholas Dirks. It is clear that the person or persons who assembled much of this entry had an axe to grind with the chancellor, and I would like to challenge some of the existing content on campus controversies under Dirks' leadership, as well as suggest new content related to Dirks' contributions to the campus (which are notably missing in the current version of the article). I would like to disclose that I am an employee of the university's public affairs office, so want to suggest these edits to an editor rather than make any myself.

Recommendations below:

Retitle the "Controversy" section as simply "Berkeley Chancellorship"
 * This was previously done. Earnsthearthrob (talk) 20:44, 1 November 2017 (UTC)

New suggested text offering Dirks' successes:

Dirks' tenure was characterized by efforts to enhance the undergraduate experience, including the formation of a new undergraduate college (source: http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/08/23/uc-berkeleys-bowles-hall-castle-reopens-as-select-dorm-for-19000-a-year/), the creation of an undergraduate program in data science (source: http://www.dailycal.org/2015/09/02/uc-berkeley-piloting-new-data-science-class-fall/), the formation of a task force examining student housing (source: http://www.berkeleyside.com/2017/01/31/uc-identifies-9-potential-sites-student-housing-berkeley/), and efforts to improve the experiences of intercollegiate athletes at Berkeley (source: http://www.dailycal.org/2014/09/26/task-force-academics-athletics-report-details-recommendations-address-student-athlete-challenges/).

In addition, Dirks spearheaded new interdisciplinary programs including the Berkeley Arts + Design Initiative (source: http://www.dailycal.org/2015/11/20/exposure-to-arts-central-to-undergraduate-experience/) and regional multi-institution research efforts such as the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative (source: http://www.dailycal.org/2016/09/22/uc-berkeley-collaborate-ucsf-stanford-chan-zuckerberg-biohub/), and global research and exchange partnerships (sources: http://www.dailycal.org/2016/10/04/campus-establishes-exchange-programs-peking-university-free-university-berlin/ ; http://www.dailycal.org/2017/01/19/berkeley-tsinghua-joint-research-center-receives-5-million-donation/).

Dirks was also a highly successful fundraiser, overseeing the completion of the Campaign for Berkeley (which exceeded its original target of $3 billion) (source: http://www.dailycal.org/2014/04/13/campus-donors-celebrate-success-campaign-berkeley/) as well as securing two successive record breaking years for philanthropy, raising $462M in FY ’15, and $479M in FY ’16 (source: http://news.berkeley.edu/2016/07/14/campus-sets-new-records-for-fundraising/).
 * Added but kept out the puffery, citations speak for themselves. Earnsthearthrob (talk) 20:40, 1 November 2017 (UTC)

'''Other suggestions aimed at lessening existing vitriol in the article: '''

I recommend removing the sentence about the "escape hatch." The "escape hatch" referred to in the article was only a door, and it was installed without the chancellor's knowledge (source: the latter half of this article: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/aug/03/uc-berkeley-chancellor-escape-hatch-student-protests)

The investigation of "funds to provide a personal trip for his wife to India that included an accompanying personal trainer" found no results. Similarly, the line "Dirks was also the subject of a wrongful termination claim filed by the former manager of University House, who alleged she was fired for refusing to lie on tax forms in order to reduce the Chancellor's personal tax liability" should be deleted as that investigation found no results. I can't give a media source for this because no one seems to have reported on the case's outcome, but you'll note that all of the media articles say these claims are "alleged."
 * I think we need citations on these, keep for now. Earnsthearthrob (talk) 20:43, 1 November 2017 (UTC)

This statement refers to the aforementioned misuse of public funds investigation that did not return any findings, so I recommend it be deleted: "Writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, Nanette Asimov listed several reasons behind this effort, such as concern that a forthcoming investigation of Dirks could further embarrass the university and that his $532,000 salary is a waste of public funds"

The line "he became one of the shortest serving chancellors in the university's history" feels entirely unnecessary and is not true - eight other chancellors served for four years or less (source: http://chancellor.berkeley.edu/chancellors)

The line "In addition, several high-level university posts are vacant and some faculty members feel it is inappropriate that they be filled by a chancellor who has resigned amidst controversy." should be deleted. Dirks' gave hiring authority to the next (and now current) chancellor, Carol Christ (source - see the note about hiring authority here: http://www.dailycal.org/2017/06/22/oscar-dubon-jr-appointed-campuss-next-vice-chancellor-equity-inclusion/)
 * Since these come from opinion articles and are now outdated, ok removed and condensed on page. Earnsthearthrob (talk) 20:43, 1 November 2017 (UTC)

Finally, some language throughout feels overblown and aimed at harming Dirks - for example, the fence around the chancellor's house is called "massive"
 * agree Earnsthearthrob (talk) 20:43, 1 November 2017 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your consideration of these requests.

Medirda (talk) 19:08, 15 August 2017 (UTC) Medirda

Made the change from "Controversy" to "Berkeley Chancellorship" to more accurately refer to it historically. btw I agree that some of the language is not NPOV but more experienced editor should make call there. Greyspshaw22 (talk) 20:53, 4 October 2017 (UTC)


 * Begin edits to improve article. Need further research on post-termination activity at the school. Is post-termination activity at the school relevant for this article? Earnsthearthrob (talk) 18:55, 11 October 2017 (UTC)

Correct birthdate is December 23, 1950.
Nicholas Dirks's correct birthdate is December 23, 1950. Niiebony (talk) 18:59, 4 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Per WP:V, you are required to provide a source. The source doesn't have to be online but it does have to be published by a reliable source. I've since removed the date altogether since we have no source and you seem to be hung up on truth. Chris Troutman  ( talk ) 19:05, 4 December 2017 (UTC)
 * works for me. Would rather have removed than have incorrect info. Thanks! Niiebony (talk) 19:06, 4 December 2017 (UTC)