One Down.

Jack Lew, former Director of the Clinton Administration's Office of Management and the Budget, current Executive Vice President of New York University, and GSOC antagonist, is stepping down next month to make "a transition to a position in the private sector" (in John Sexton's words.) Perhaps NYU wasn't paying him enough (Lew is the highest paid official on the University's payroll.) Or maybe, dare we to dream, this could be sthe start of something analogous to the great jumping of ships which came at Yale during the summer of 2003, when, in rapid succession, Bob Culver, Barry S. Kane, and indeed a host of other administrators, apparently weary of constant labor strife, suddenly developed a desire to be closer to their families or move on to other coasts. I hope Mr. Lew's time here in New York has been educational, and I hope his successor, Michael Alfano, currently the dean of NYU's Dental School, moves quickly to avoid further turmoil by negotiating a new contract with GSOC. But it's telling to note the numerous references to Alfano's experience in the corporate sector in Sexton's letter to the community announcing the personnel changes. Real change, it seems, and this should surprise no one, will come only if we are organized to force it. Welcome to the ULT, Mr. Alfano. We look forward to meeting you at the bargaining table.