We're now two years into the University Presidency of Steven Knapp. His predecessor, the larger-than-life SJT, was a transformational president with a firm goal: transform GW from a two-bit commuter school into a real, respected 4 year university. SJT was by no means a uncontroversial figure, but it is hard to argue that GW is not better off after his presidency.

So what of his successor? President Knapp, it seems, is utterly deficient of a comprehensive vision for this school. He proposes much but focuses on little, and there doesn't seem to be much reason to hope that we will emerge from his presidency better than we started it. But more important than that question is the feeling that has blossomed under his watch, a creeping feeling that this university isn't going anywhere.

President Knapp has called for a revitalization of the sciences at GW, with new faculty and new programs to go with it. But these efforts are expensive, and largely without purpose. GW has a reputation as a school for international relations and politics. Why attempt to pivot against our nature? Knapp has given no clear declaration of why GW needs to develop a scientific focus.

Knapp has similarly called for cost reductions for students. But he has provided no indication that he is willing to control the kind of spending that necessitates our high tuition. Costs of attendance have not gone down at GW since Knapp's presidency, they have risen. Continuing to provide more and more financial aid while expecting many others to pay an ever-increasing full tuition is not a solution; keeping down costs and realizing limits is.

Academics continue the plateau achieved during SJT's tenure, with advising continuing to be a topic of complaint. Our president has fiddled with the advising system, institution complementary programs like GPS in order to staunch the bleeding. But these are not solutions. GW needs a far closer look at its advising and academic problems, one that Knapp has been unwilling to give.

One may point to Knapp's record on green initiatives as a success story, and here in fact he has had some success. But this, after all, is a university. Having a green university is no substitute for a good university. Continuing to focus so much time and effort on green initiatives while so many problems exist at GW is, for lack of a better phrase, missing the forest for the trees.

Contrary to what an article like this might imply, I love GW. This school is too damn expensive to attend unless you love it. But we are suffering from a scattershot president who proposes much and follows through on little. Instead of focusing on the problems that need to be fixed, Knapp has insisted on solving problems that don't exist, like GW's science programs. GW needs a leader with enough presence of mind to see what this school really needs, and enough vision to see how to get there. Thusfar, Knapp has provided neither. I hope he acquires both.