New survey reports gender differences in presidents.

Presidents of colleges and universities have enormous power to affect their schools' policies and programs, priorities, climate and success. But who are they, and what are their backgrounds and beliefs?

In June and July of 2005 The Chronicle of Higher Education conducted a survey of presidents and chancellors at four-year schools, 1,338 in all. A total of 764 responded (57%) from 48 states--all but Hawaii and Wyoming. Two-thirds responded on paper and one-third online.

Of those included in the Chronicle report, 81% were male and 89% were white.

Before assuming their current jobs, 22% had been president of another school. The rest were most likely to come from the academic side--32% had been provost, 7% dean and 7% other academic--but 22% came from the nonacademic side as a VP or from another job in higher ed.

The survey provides an interim snapshot between those regularly conducted by the American Council on Education, whose last report in 2001 will be updated in 2006.

Adequate preparation?

Only 41% said they were "very well prepared" for their first presidency. They wished for better preparation in "fund-raising" (18%), and "budgetary issues" and "dealing with legislators and other government officials" (11% each), and "dealing with the board" (10%).