What is the one thing President Tilghman can't stand? It has nothing to do with the difficulties of wooing top-name professors or deep-pocketed donors.
Her pet peeve is improper word usage — in particular, using the word "impact" as a verb.
"Why do people do it so much?" she exclaimed on WPRB's "Professor Show" yesterday.
Tilghman sat down with the host Adam Friedman '04 for a candid discussion on everything from her position on campus underage drinking to her favorite movie ("All About Eve"). During this break from her professional duties, Tilghman exposed a more personal side.
She said if she weren't University president, she would want to be an epidemiologist, and talked about her love of Duke Ellington and Bach. Tilghman divulged to listeners that in her opinion the coolest professor is Miguel Centeno and the smartest one is Andrew Wiles.
Though the interview did include personal matters, it also delved into serious issues.
Tilghman said she is opposed to a possible Princeton Borough ordinance that would enable police to issue summons to underage drinkers at eating clubs.
"We showed the Borough we are taking the issue seriously, we do not want the Borough to step in," she said.
The University should be able to address the issue of drinking independently, Tilghman said.
She commented on intellectualism on campus which has been called lackluster by the U-Council.
"The letter written has done a great service by asking students to reflect on their college experience," Tilghman said.
While the University offers a broad range of options for undergraduates, Tilghman said there is a disparity among students capitalizing on intellectual opportunities. Encouraging students to challenge themselves lies in the leadership of student organizations, such as the USG, Tilghman said.
"I don't think it is an issue for the faculty; it is for the student body," she said.
A large portion of the show was also a reflection on Tilghman's first year-and-a-half as president. Tilghman recalled her apprehension when she left a career in science to begin her term at the University.
"There was a fair amount of fear and trepidation; [however] I just love it," Tilghman said. Reporting a fairly smooth transition, Tilghman said there have been few difficulties. She explained that because former President Shapiro left the University in an extraordinary state, she has been able to focus on the future instead of on repairs.
The greatest obstacle so far has been restructuring her administration, she said.
"The biggest challenge was the prospect of assigning nine cabinet level appointments," Tilghman said.
Her presidential duties have been mainly distributed in four areas.
She said she spends 25 percent of her time on faculty issues, such as recruitment and retention; 25 percent on student issues, such as health services and eating clubs; 25 percent on administrative duties, such as architecture planning and employee relations; and 10 percent of her time on alumni affairs, such as securing donations.
She joked that she should stop before losing track of the math.
Any way her schedule is divided, she said, she is constantly working on something.
"It's a full plate, one I could fill multiple times," she said.
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