Boaz Erez appointment comes to an end

It had been evident for some time that something wasn't working at USI. But everything was restricted to unofficial rumors, speaking of a figure, the dean, more and more uncertain due to problems concerning staff and university management. And, as recently as last week, the news that was already in the air was confirmed in an official press release from the University of Lugano: Boas Erez would no longer be the Rector of USI. The decision, the press release states, was reached "by mutual agreement" between the University Council and the dean himself, who will leave his post on May 9, after USI's academic year but will continue his activity as full professor of mathematics. During the transitional phase, while waiting for the appointment of Erez's successor, the vice-rector Lorenzo Cantoni will assume the position of acting vice-rector, with the support of the current professors and the assistant professor Giorgio Margaritondo. How did the decision come about? What weighed against the "excellent results in the academic field" were " differences of opinion with the USI Council on the University' administrative management". At the root of the problem, there would be profoundly different visions between the parties regarding the governance of the university. To this was added, in the course of time, a series of problems linked to personnel management. These repeated episodes, despite several attempts at mediation, have left no solution other than a change at the top, with the departure of the president just a little over a year and a half before the end of his four-year term. A mandate that, we recall, was extended at the end of September 2019.

Between past, present and future

One thing that is certain is that for Ticino's university landscape, this change is an important turning point. The person concerned, whom we contacted, limited himself to observing that "after six years we have achieved the maximum results. It is the right moment to leave". And in the media note, the university itself recalls the results obtained during the rectorate of Erez: an increase in the cohesion of the academic pole of Italian Switzerland, with the establishment of a common USI-EOC strategy for research in human medicine and with the affiliation to USI of IRSOL and the Faculty of Theology. To these can be added the strengthening of the innovation and start-up pole, as well as USI's internationalization. And it must not be forgotten that the University now has 3,923 students, the highest number since its foundation. In short, the decision to interrupt Boas Erez's reign here would be based exclusively on "differences of view" on administrative management. "There were differing visions that led to this mutually agreed decision," confirms the president of the University Council, Ms. Monica Duca Widmer. The statements made by Erez in support of self-management, which have been the subject of so much debate over the past twelve months, have therefore not influenced our discussion. "It is a matter that remains beyond these walls". And even in terms of image, the university is not at risk, said Duke Widmer: "It can happen that a presidency is interrupted during a current term. It is not an extraordinary event and the University will move forward."

"Misunderstanding cleared up"

Even the mayor of Lugano Michele Foletti excluded that there could be repercussions: "The continuity guaranteed by the pro-rectors provides an idea of the solidity of the institution. It will be difficult to understand how relations with other Swiss universities will continue". "It is not an usual decision but I believe that if the rector and the University Council were not in agreement, then it was the best choice for both. I am personally - added the mayor - sorry; I have a good relationship with Erez and with him there was a concrete closeness between USI and the City". In this respect, Mr. Foletti mentioned the Lugano Living Lab platform, the combined work with the EOC and the ex-slaughterhouse project". Indeed: the former slaughterhouse and self-management. Issues on which Erez had taken a position (albeit on a personal basis, as a private citizen) clashing with the institutions. But even for Foletti, this was not the case: "There was a misunderstanding with Marco (Borradori, ed.) which was immediately cleared up. It's part of people's style". On his part, the president of the EOC, Paolo Sanvido, expressed his gratitude to Erez "for the excellent and fruitful collaboration that, in the interest of the Institutional development, has always been reserved for us. I recall that the outgoing rector has been decisive in the development of the innovative project of BioMedicine faculty that allowed the City of Ticino to position itself among the main players in the academic training of new doctors and improve our position of leadership in health care in a national context".

"No Surprises"

The decision is hardly a surprise, in the view of Piero Martinoli, who led the university for many years. "There had been disagreements, and sometimes even some underlying conflicts, between the Rector and the USI Council for some time." And a first sign arrived a fortnight ago, when the announcement was made of the restructuring of the university's administration (see the April 9 edition). " However, apart from the internal issues, the events are not at all positive for the university, which will suffer damage to its image. Boas Erez may have had his responsibilities, but the University Council did not look good either." USI, however, " will manage to pick up the slack, since it is well inserted on a national and international level. Even if it is without a doubt that larger universities find it easier to absorb these blows than smaller ones like ours. I wish that the academic body, from now on, could bring a positive climate back into the university".