More to Do

Harry Katz's work as a labor relations expert and labor economist is embedded in numerous books and research papers.

His work as ILR's Kenneth F. Kahn Dean since 2005 manifests in other, perhaps more subtle ways.

Through expanded academic and Extension programs, enriched international opportunities for students, state-of-the-art facilities and other avenues, Katz has defined his administration.

Cornell trustees in May reappointed the dean, who is also ILR's Jack Sheinkman Professor of Collective Bargaining, to a second, five-year term.  It begins July 1, 2010.

"There's more to do and I have the energy to do it," Katz said in an interview, pointing to some of ILR's accomplishments in recent years:

• Recruitment and retention of top quality faculty.  Two new faculty members join the school this fall.  Searches for three additional faculty members have been launched.

• Increasing number of student applicants.  Nearly 1,000 competed for 156 freshman slots this year.

• Broadening ILR's scope to include education, health policy and other expertise, while keeping the labor relations core strong.

• ESCP Europe (European School of Management) partnership began.  Eight ESCP students studied at ILR this past year and eight will study at ILR in 2009-2010.

• Undergraduate enrollment comprised of more than 25 percent underrepresented minorities, the highest percentage among Cornell's colleges.

• Increased MILR graduate program with 57 enrolled for the fall, up from 39 two years ago.

• Healthy doctoral program with strong links to Cornell departments, particularly Economics.

• Semester in Dublin Program launched.  Thirteen ILR students will be enrolled this fall at the Quinn School of Business at University College Dublin.

• Opening of the Scheinman Institute of Conflict Resolution, expanded this year to include the Labor Arbitration Program.

• Endowment of Harriet Morel Oxman Directorship of the Catherwood Library.

• Dolgen Hall named in recognition of support by Jonathan Dolgen '66 and the Dolgen family. 

• School of Hotel Administration partnership, including co-sponsorship of annual human resources conference.

• Increased connectedness between Extension and academic faculty and programs.

• Frank B. Miller Director of Student Services position endowed.

• Naming of the William J. Conaty GE Professor of Strategic Human Resources professorship.

• Strengthened relationship with the Cornell Law School.

• John P. Windmuller Chair in International and Comparative Labor established.

• Refurbished Ives Hall faculty wing, scheduled to open this summer.

"We're quite healthy and I'm optimistic we're going to continue to be," the dean said.

Katz's first term has included financial challenges presented by the recession.

"We've weathered the financial storms well," he said. "We're especially healthy, compared to other colleges at Cornell."

"We been disciplined, we've also been entrepreneurial, expanding eCornell offerings, and obtaining grants and contracts," Katz said.

Despite the economic downturn, May graduates "are doing incredibly well" in the job market – almost all seeking employment have found it, he said.

Campaign contributions to the ILR School's $60 million target through "Far Above…The Campaign for Cornell" have continued during the recession, said the dean, who joined the ILR faculty in 1985.

Major gift announcements are expected during the next six months, he said. "I continue to benefit from a set of relationships put in place by previous deans."

Connectedness has been a theme of Katz's deanship.

"You can never have too much internal communication.  You can never be too connected," he said.

"Walking the halls, seeing students, seeing programs, meeting donors, sitting one on one with them, hearing their views of the school … I’ve tried to avoid the isolation that comes with the job."

One of the ways Katz does that is by continuing to teach.  This spring, 117 students took his collective bargaining class.

He also remains a resource for news media members, who look to Katz for information on collective bargaining and the auto industry.

Although Katz no longer has time to conduct his own research – "there are moments when I miss it" – he participates in faculty research workshops and assists in the strategic evolution of ILR research.

When faculty members present their research, Katz said, "alums are overwhelmed, almost stunned, with the quality of research."

About half of Katz's time is spent off campus for fund-raising, meetings with Extension faculty and staff and other administrative duties.

At ILR, Katz said, there are reminders throughout the year that the school does its job well, "that we’re not faking it."

"Seeing visitors react to Catherwood Library, the energy and excitement freshman have, graduation – the profound effect on parents," he said. "Walking through the new building and seeing how nice it will be.  It’s a really solid, beautiful building, really well-equipped."

Katz, who plans to eventually return to a professor role at ILR, said the support of a 280-person staff makes continuing as dean feasible.

"My father told me that the key to managing people is to give them the room to do their jobs.  I've tried to do that … give them the room to reveal their strengths."

"I'm proud of what we've done."