Retiring, but certainly not shy

After 37 years, Rob Brooks offers
some parting comments

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

Then assistant dean of students Rob Brooks, pictured in a 1969 Massachusetts Daily Collegian article.

     "Since my retirement became public, I have been frequently asked if UMass was a better institution then, than it is now," says Brooks. "The answer is, of course, yes—and no!

     "I believe we can agree that it's better in terms of quality—based not only on the objective Admissions profile but even more important, because faculty tell me that their students are 'better.' ... But I wish the institution were 'happier!' And more thoughtful."

     Brooks adds, "I wish I better understood why, if it's not a 'happy place'—and there are countless examples that can be cited— that so many stay for so long."

     After Oz Tippo became provost, recalls Brooks, he noted how many people walked around campus with their heads down, not greeting others. "That's still the case, especially in Whitmore, which has a culture of its own—and within, a subculture between the second floor administrators and the third floor administration," says Brooks.

Brooks at the Robsham Visitors Center.

     Brooks says the staff should stop looking down. "For many of us it's not just another job—we're marketable—we could go elsewhere, we've had other job offers, but we stay. And we are the infrastructure. We outlast chancellors, vice chancellors, associate and assistant vice chancellors and deans."

     Long a proponent of reducing bureaucratic barriers, Brooks would like to see his colleagues think and act in positive ways and be open to new and better ways of doing business.

     Among those area s still needing improvement, he says, is making the campus more friendly to visitors, whether they are parents, prospective students, alumni, donors or dignitaries.

   "I recommended that there be a 'welcoming' place where visitors can get information when they arrive after dark. I have long advocated using the Visitors Center as a Public Safety sub-station," he says. "We are years behind other campuses by not having a central calendar coordination so that when visitors arrive, we aren't in the embarrassing position of not knowing what's going on and thus unable to make referrals without a lot of detective work. It reinforces the 'it's too big' perception" of the campus.

     Internally, he adds, "With some significant exceptions, we aren't thoughtful when it comes to thanking and acknowledging people for service above and beyond—and indeed, for simply doing what they are supposed to do but for which they are too often taken for granted."

     Throughout his years here, Brooks has bluntly pointed out shortcomings on campus, earning him criticism that he acknowledges.

     "In my zeal to want the University to be better than it is—and better than it thinks it is, I admittedly come on strong and push, and criticize, and nag where I think we can and should make changes for the better— in corporate terms, to improve the product," he says.

     Brooks also freely admits that he's been constantly fascinated by the behind-the-scenes machinations of the campus.

     "If anything is true about UMass, it's intrigue," he says. "I thrive on intrigue."

     But wheeling and dealing in information, as Brooks has done throughout his career, has had its down side.

     "Occasionally, there's been a element of jealousy," he says. "The idea that 'He can get it done' was seen by some vice chancellors as I knew more than they did ... and I was punished for it."

     Bureaucratic power hasn't interested him, he says. "I never aspired to be No. 1, but I'm one of the best No. 2 people I know."

     He'll continue in that vein after retirement. Brooks will be working several days per week with the new director of guest services at Cooley Dickinson Hospital to improve customer relations.

     So, as he heads for the door, Brooks offers some advice: "Lighten up UMass—you are good, if occasionally unappreciated. Persevere and persist in making UMass Amherst even better than it is—you will be happier for it."

     In lieu of a retirement party, Brooks has asked that gifts be made to the Robsham Visitors Center Gift Fund. Gifts can by made payable to the University of Massachusetts (indicating "Robsham Visitors Center") and sent to Doug Adler, Development Office, Memorial Hall.

Favorite quotations and comments from
the Brooks collection

at the Visitors Center

For whom was the University of Massachusetts named?

I'm calling from New Jersey. If I back out of my driveway and turn left, can you give me directions to UMass?

I've been accepted and need to know what winters are like there.
—an applicant from Providence

Commencement inquiries

I know Commencement is at 10:30, but is that 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 p.m.?

Are there chairs at the stadium or do we need to bring our own?

From Admissions

Given that he has limited ability, he does an outstanding job as a student.
—from a letter of recommendation