UC President Richard C. Atkinson announced his intention to retire from his position, effective Oct. 1, 2003, at the Nov. 13 meeting of the UC Board of Regents in San Francisco.
UC President
Atkinson, 73, has served as the UC president since Oct. 1, 1995. Prior to that, he served for 15 years as the chancellor of UCSD. In his remarks, Atkinson told the Board of Regents that he thought it was the right time to step down and allow someone new to take the reigns of the UC system. He also cited personal reasons for retiring.
“”These have been extremely rewarding years — challenging, stimulating and deeply interesting years,”” Atkinson said. “”But the time has come to bring them to a close and to allow the university to move forward under new leadership. It also is time, I might add, for my grandchildren to see more of their grandfather.””
UCSD Chancellor Robert C. Dynes, Atkinson’s hand-picked successor at UCSD, was among those in attendance at the meeting. He has known Atkinson since 1989.
“”I am saddened by this news,”” Dynes said. “”I think that he is doing a great job as the leader of the university. It is quite impressive, but I do understand why he is stepping down. He has more than earned it. He has been a tremendous president.””
Atkinson and his wife, Rita, plan to return to San Diego upon his retirement. They lived in San Diego during his tenure as chancellor of UCSD from 1980 to 1995.
“”I think that [after his retirement] we’ll be seeing a lot more of Dick Atkinson [at UCSD],”” Dynes said. “”He has been a very good friend of UCSD over the years. He’s going to come back and pick and choose what he wants to do.””
Among his many accomplishments, Atkinson will be remembered for the landmark reforms he initiated in the admissions process and the tremendous growth that he has brought to the UC system over the past seven years.
“”[Atkinson] had a remarkable career that included 15 years at UCSD and his tenure with the UC system,”” said UCSD Vice Chancellor of External Relations James Langley. “”He made truly significant reforms that only someone with his background and stature could have done.””
His accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by California Gov. Gray Davis, who issued a statement on Nov. 13 regarding Atkinson’s retirement.
“”Dick Atkinson ranks among the most outstanding presidents the University of California has ever had,”” Davis stated. “”[Atkinson] opened wide the doors to a world-class university education for an entire generation of diverse and talented California students. Under his tenure, UC enrollment increased by 30,000 students. Nine existing campuses were expanded and improved upon, and ground has been broken for a historic 10th campus in Merced.””
Among Atkinson’s achievements while in office included the rescinding of Standing Policy 1, the UC Board of Regents resolution that eliminated consideration of race and ethnicity in the UC admissions process; the implementation of the Eligibility in the Local Context program and the Dual Admissions Program; and a catalyst for changes made to the SAT, something that Atkinson was very vocal about.
As for the remainder of his time in office, Atkinson has placed a high priority on maintaining the high standards that the UC system has grown accustomed to having. He also would like to continue to lead the charge in driving the research in the UC system to serve the population of California.
“”It is not the president who is solely, or even chiefly, responsible for these achievements,”” Atkinson said. “”It is the University of California community — the Regents, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni and friends of the university. And that is why, even in a time of budget uncertainty once again, I am confident in the university’s continued vitality.””
Someone who can manage the UC system in a time of budget shortfall will be among the characteristics that the Regents search committee will look for in the next year while conducting a national search for Atkinson’s replacement. The committee will soon be appointed by Regents Chair John Moores.
