Some people are as loved as they are hated. You know the types — Bill Clinton, the Dixie Chicks and Kobe Bryant. These are the leaders, stars, and athletes who always end up in the midst of controversy. Most of the time, these celebrities are given tremendous power and they choose to make decisions that polarize and ignite the masses.

In the past decade, no one has been more effective at attracting controversy than Donald Rumsfeld, America’s outgoing Secretary of Defense.

Rumsfeld sure is loved, but boy is he hated. His admirers will be quick to highlight his no-nonsense and witty personality that has helped the United States achieve victory in Afghanistan and topple Saddam Hussein’s brutal regime.

On the other hand, his adversaries label Rumsfeld as arrogant, disrespectful and too hierarchical. All they have to do is point out how poorly the United States has implemented its “post-war” policies in Iraq. Secretary Rumsfeld’s resignation this past week reminds us that no matter how great or influential a leader may be during his or her lifetime, there comes a time when a fresh perspective is needed. This isn’t just true for the Bush administration.

The Oblinger administration of N.C. State needs a new direction as well. When it comes to intimately knowing and responding to the student body, this administration’s policies are failing. Who’s responsible? Ultimately, the chancellor himself, but he has chosen to delegate the task of building student life to the contentious Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Tom Stafford. You may not have noticed, but Tom Stafford is the Donald Rumsfeld of N.C. State. Here are some eerie analogies that link these two men’s personalities, leadership styles and ideologies:

1. Holding on to the jobWhen Secretary Rumsfeld steps down in the next few months, he will be the longest-serving secretary of defense in our nation. Stafford’s career term rivals anything Rumsfeld could have desired. Stafford has served in Student Affairs since 1971. While most administrators stay at N.C. State for a decade and move to another post, Stafford has worked under six chancellors and three interim chancellors. How can N.C. State grow under one leader for over a third of a century?

2. Fighting the warsDuring his years as secretary of defense, Rumsfeld led America into the War on Terrorism by initiating campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Likewise, Stafford has been fighting the War on Student Life for decades. His campaigns have included the War against Tailgating, the War for Increasing Fees and the War against Student Leaders. While he has aggressively fought and won the first, his influence in the latter two wars is fading quickly. This year, Stafford could not even convince his Fee Review Committee to vote for increases toward Thompson Theater and the Indebtedness Fee. To add to that, student leaders have successfully disconnected themselves from Stafford and accomplished their goals without him. The War against Student Leaders has been the Iraq War of Student Affairs for years.

3. Tight chain of commandMany of those serving under “Rummy” criticized him for his arrogance and insistence on a constricted chain of command. Stafford’s organization of Student Affairs is no different. The vice chancellor is quick to remind students and his “generals” that he is the boss. All decisions must be approved by him and departments only exist if he says they do. In fact, some lowly workers of Student Affairs are only allowed to e-mail the person one tier up in the chain if they have an issue.

4. Not listening to the peopleFinally, Rumsfeld has been scolded for not listening to the joint chiefs of staff, military experts or the people when it comes to war policy. Similarly, Tom Stafford has rejected student referenda passed by overwhelming majorities, not listened to student leaders and decided to dismiss the advice of his top advisers within Student Affairs. Just think about the Judicial board split and the referendum that questioned if a student should be full- or part-time. The latter was approved by 72 percent of the voting student body, but he chucked it.Yes, Student Affairs is in dire need of reform, just like the Department of Defense and the war in Iraq. A change in attitude is necessary for any success. One message must be sent loud and clear to Chancellor Oblinger — we’re not happy with your current policies toward students. Too bad we don’t have a congressional election to express our outrage.

E-mail Forrest at [email protected].