GWU President Says He Will Step Down in 2007

"He's definitely a forceful character -- no doubt about that," said Kip Lornell, an adjunct professor of music who has fought for a union of part-time faculty members.

"He has a vision for the university -- no doubt about that. But in some ways, particularly with respect to money, he has fallen short." He said the growth at the school has come without the money to back it up.

Others said Trachtenberg has a welcoming personal style, meeting often with students and frequently inviting them to play racquetball during one of his regular games.

Dwight Cropp, a professor in the school where Trachtenberg will teach, said the university has grown tremendously since he became president, and the academic programs have improved significantly. His major accomplishment, Cropp said, is a program for top D.C. students called the Trachtenberg Scholarships.

He typed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of letters to people from all walks of life, sometimes about big issues and sometimes about very small ones. Some GWU neighbors, who have had a tempestuous relationship with the college over its expansion, said some of his letters were not appreciated.

"There's no question he was single-minded in his pursuit of enhancing the university -- in many respects to the detriment of other residents," said Ellie Becker, a board member of the Foggy Bottom Association.

Trachtenberg said he decided to step down because he will have been a university president for 30 years, and he wanted to spend time in other pursuits, including research and writing. He also said the university needs a president who is committed to staying at least 10 years.

The timing of Trachtenberg's decision gives trustees time to do a thorough search for his replacement, Manatt said. He added that a search committee is expected to be formed soon.

Trachtenberg said his biggest regret is that he was unable to complete a transformation of the curriculum, making it more relevant to the 21st century -- something he believes schools of higher education must do to survive.

Trachtenberg and his wife, Francine, will move out of the Kalorama townhouse that was purchased by the university for $1.9 million and, he said, find housing in the District that is close enough to GWU for him to reach it by bicycle.

Staff writer Susan Kinzie contributed to this report.