Bush Could Be Yale President

President Bush is rumored to be on a list of potential candidates to succeed Benno C. Schmidt Jr. as president of Yale University.

The Yale Daily News reported this week that two prominent alumni have recommended Bush, Yale class of 1948, for the job.

Bush is likely to be unemployed after January 20, when President-elect Bill Clinton will take the oath of office. Bush lost to Clinton in an Electoral College landslide last Tuesday.

White House officials were reluctant to discuss Bush's future job plans yesterday. "We have no comment on that," spokesperson said.

The Yale Corporation is currently compiling a list of 300 to 400 candidates to serve as Schmidt's successor. Schmidt resigned last spring to work with entrepreneur Christopher Whittle on designing a chain of private schools.

Officials at Yale and the Daily News expressed doubt yesterday that Bush would be offered the presidency of his alma mater.

"There is no way [he will be president]," said Jeff A. Diamant '93 managing editor of the Yale Daily news. "Anybody can get on the list [of candidates]."

The New York Times also reported that Bush was being considered for the Yale post in Monday's editions.

"The day after his defeat, Mr. Bush's name was already being floated to succeed [President Schmidt]," The Times said.

The Times article also said that Bush's appointment was unlikely, since Yale is looking for an academic for its president. Bush, who has also been rumored to be the nation's next commissioner of baseball, graduated from Yale in three years and never returned.

"Yale is seeking someone closely tied to the university with a strong background in academia," Diamant said.

Bush's popularity has waned at the university just as it has nationwide. Earlier this year he lost a straw poll among Yale undergraduates to Clinton, a graduate of Yale Law School. When the president spoke at the university's commencement in 1991, he was roundly booed.

"The spirit [among students] has been strongly against a fundraiser [as president]," Diamant said.

Nonetheless, the rumor mill is grinding at Yale, with many students mentioningthe possibility of Bush's return.

"I heard as early as last term that the YaleCorporation was holding off on making a listpending the outcome of thepresidential election," said Jeff R. Tanner, asophomore

"I heard as early as last term that the YaleCorporation was holding off on making a listpending the outcome of thepresidential election," said Jeff R. Tanner, asophomore