On the morning of Sept. 25, 2024, Ronald D. Liebowitz formally announced his resignation as the President of Brandeis University, a post he had held since 2015. The resignation, reported on by national media outlets such as the New York Times and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, comes after a year dogged by controversy surrounding campus protests and financial decisions, culminating in a no-confidence vote from Brandeis Faculty.
National news coverage of Liebowitz’ resignation noted that this vote of no-confidence accused the President of “damaging errors in judgment and poor leadership,” with the New York Times specifically adding that “members of the faculty had cited budget and fund-raising shortfalls as well as what they viewed as an overreaction to pro-Palestinian student activists last year. Enrollment at the university had declined by about 9 percent in the past five years.” The Times also said that “His departure marks at least the fifth major university president who has stepped down due, at least in part, to campus conflict over the war in Gaza.”
Inside Higher Ed noted that Brandeis’ financial troubles are partially due to the fact that “it doesn’t have the endowment that other highly selective research universities have. In fiscal year 2022, Brandeis’s endowment was valued at $1.2 billion. That’s about $228,902 per student, which puts it between Connecticut and St. Olaf Colleges.” They also quoted “Leonard Saxe, a professor of contemporary Jewish studies and social policy at Brandeis,” as saying that “the university doesn’t have the resources to sustain its ambitions. Historically, he said, Brandeis presidents have tended to leave over economic crises; in this case, the institution—like many others—has struggled to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly after the federal stimulus money stopped.” This situation also received coverage from Boston.com, The Boston Globe and other large media outlets.
Liebowitz had resigned “with mixed emotions”, according to an email he sent to Brandies community members, because “this is an exceptional institution, which carries great meaning, especially at this time, due to the reason for its founding.” In the email, Liebowitz continued, “[T]his is a valuable moment for me and for Jessica [Liebowitz, his wife] to build on our experiences to create new pathways for innovation and reform in higher education, and I resign knowing that the university will be in good hands.”
In the email, Liebowitz spoke about Brandeis’ “extraordinary environment for learning” and “the oft-stated Brandeisian characteristic of being willing to enter the fray, with erudition and with wit, and to speak one’s mind.” He concluded the email by stating, “The university’s accomplishments are numerous and remarkable for such a relatively young university, and there is no reason to believe it will not find the right path in the coming years. Jessica and I wish you all nothing but success.”
Minutes prior to the sending of this email, the Brandeis Board of Trustees sent an email to the Brandeis community titled “Announcing a Leadership Transition.” In it, Chair of the Board of Trustees Lisa R. Kranc ’75 announced that “As our university begins the shift to prepare for its next transformational chapter, President Ron Liebowitz has informed the board that he will step down after eight years of leading Brandeis University.”
While accepting Liebowitz’ resignation, the Board appointed him President Emeritus; an honor allowing him to retain the last title he held before his departure. “This honor provides him with a platform to continue to advocate for Brandeis and its values,” said Kranc.
In their email, the Board of Trustees described Liebowitz in glowing terms as a “champion for Brandeis,” who “has continually reminded us that we are animated by Jewish values and identity, including a reverence for knowledge, a commitment to repairing the world, and openness to all,” and played an important role in “speaking out against antisemitism in our world and on college campuses.”
In another email sent by Assistant Vice President for Communications Julie Jette, it was noted that President Liebowitz’ resignation would be effective on Nov. 1. She added a further quote from Kranc, who said that “Ron has faithfully championed Brandeis’ core and founding principles. While many have chosen to stay silent, Ron has had the moral courage to be a leading voice in recognizing that we cannot cower from any form of hatred, especially antisemitism. The Board of Trustees, in partnership with all at this great university, remains unwavering and unequivocally committed to our core values.” Jette wrote that “Liebowitz led Brandeis admirably through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also led a campus-wide planning effort that yielded ‘The Framework for the Future,’ a comprehensive set of recommendations rooted in Brandeis’s historical strengths, its unique place in higher education, and aspirations for the future. During his tenure, he led the reconnection of alumni with the university through the yearlong 75th anniversary celebrations across the country and abroad.”
Jette also noted that “Arthur E. Levine, Ph.D., a 1970 Brandeis graduate and a nationally respected higher education leader and scholar, will take office as interim president at Brandeis on November 1. Levine brings a wealth of leadership experience, including presidential tenures at Teachers College at Columbia University and at the former Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. In recent years, he has focused on strategies to help higher education meet the challenges ahead.” In closing, she added that “Since its founding, Brandeis has held a distinctive place in higher education as a research university dedicated to consequential scholarship. This mission has never been more vital. The Board, Interim President Levine, and academic and administrative leaders will collaborate closely to ensure that students, faculty, and staff continue to be supported in their important work.”
Many took to social media to express their feelings on President Liebowitz’ departure. In the comment section of Brandeis’ official Instagram post announcing his resignation, one user said “Good riddance. He destroyed what was once an internationally recognized arts department,” another noting that “One time Ron told me in his office ‘social justice is a business.’ I hope he enjoyed his jumbo checks while they lasted!” and one more adding that he “Le[d] the university from top 30 to No.63. Well done.” Among the largely negative sentiment students expressed was some praise for Liebowitz, with one user thanking him for his “extraordinary leadership during this very difficult time,” another saying that this is “a sad day for Brandeis. I hope that the school continues to provide a welcoming environment for Jewish students during these dark times,” and a few others thanking Liebowitz for his “service to Brandeis.”
The Hoot reached out to President Liebowitz’ office for an interview before his time at Brandeis comes to a close, but did not hear back in time for publication. For further coverage of Brandeis’ soon-to-be-interim President, see this week’s Features section.
