Certain vocations have a particular level of prestige, or at least a reputation for being seemingly desirable positions. A university President might fit into this category, based on the perception that leading an institution of higher education is a noble and coveted role. However, perception doesn't always mimic reality, and over time certain jobs may become less appealing. With that in mind, the talent pool for university Presidents has been steadily shrinking, and the position has become less likely to be sought over time.

Charismatic and competent

In some cases, university administrators may not be eager to take the head job because they don't feel qualified to fill this role. The expectations for a university President can be immense. Constituencies may expect candidates to be highly skilled and knowledgeable in administration, strategic planning and academics in general. In addition, there may be a belief that a university President should be a charismatic personality that can inspire various groups of people within the institution. Finding a balanced combination of competency and charisma can be difficult; it can be rare to encounter a person that is both a cerebral thinker and an energetic motivator.

Consumer attitudes

Higher education has changed, as student bodies have diversified and varied their attitudes towards colleges. Today's post-secondary student is much more of a consumer than past generations, and they can tend to view the university as a vendor providing them with a marketable product. In that respect, there is arguably less respect for the administration, as students and parents alike are very comfortable sharing their complaints with whoever will listen. Granted, protests of university Presidents are nothing new, but they can represent a sufficient headache for someone who would rather focus on internal issues than external concerns.

Faculty and unions

The faculty member has always been a unique part of university culture, and in many cases they can be intriguing individuals. However, a group of faculty can be a rather large distraction for a university President, particularly when they are upset. Groups of faculty tend to feel that their viewpoints should be heard, particularly since they can have a rather high amount of intellect. When a university also has a union element, it can be even more frustrating for the President, particularly when a new contract needs to be negotiated. Therefore, some individuals may shy away from being President because they don't want to deal with an entrenched group of intellectuals.

External relations

Problems for a university President aren't always confined within school walls, because there are external difficulties that can represent ongoing challenges. In addition to upset students, parents and faculty, community members typically also hold opinions about institutional affairs; this can include everything from automobile traffic to building projects. Issues of accreditation, licensing and environmental impact may also come into play. Depending on the size of the school, there may be many different constituencies, all struggling to be heard.

Money issues

As if this weren't enough to deter university Presidential candidates, there is also the issue of money, which plagues many schools on a regular basis. Not only must university Presidents deal with ongoing budget issues, but there may also be continual problems with enrollment management, grants, governmental funding and other financial concerns. While some universities are blessed with large endowments, others must constantly be looking for additional funds.

The university President may find that their job consists of putting out internal fires while at the same time scouring the external landscape for funding. Clearly, the position of university President is desirable to some individuals, but others are more than happy to avoid the position altogether based on these challenges.