The first Free Press editorial (Oct. 22) on the resignation of George Davis as president of the University of Vermont and recent columns by Sam Hemingway about Woodbury College illustrate just one of the pressures bearing down upon a college president. Of the three presidents -- Davis, Timothy Light of Middlebury College and I -- who began their jobs last year, I am the only surviving one. There have been rough moments, too, for me and my family at small Goddard College.

Regardless of the size of institutions, the role of president is complex and highly political. I was not prepared for the cauldron. Tim Light and I met at Harvard's seminar for new presidents, but one short week in Boston is hardly preparation for this job.

The role of president must somehow contend with: declining federal and state funds in a recession, an inexperienced board, alumni who demand a return to "the way it used to be," radical students who demand change, and the increasing tribalism, in general, within the community and nation. A president is "on camera" everywhere, everday, as is his or her family. One's spouse has a confusing, thankless role, which just adds to the tension around the dinner table. Worse, there are threats to person and family made by extremists who hate any authority.

In addition, presidents have 'to face charges in the press that are exaggerated and based on incomplete information. The Hemingway column, critical of Woodbulry College were based on the comments of a few students, but once printed the damage to a reputation is done.

About the Davis resignation, the Free Press could have taken the high ground and addressed the challenges leaders faced. Or the paper might have tried to make a wrenching family decision like resignation understandable. Instead, the editorial used colorful language like "bungled" and "fumbled the ball" to describe -and reify -- policy disputes that are far more involved.

I knew both George and Tim to be bright, rational and decent leaders who were appointed after national searches. If that is not enough, it says more about "followership" and the entangled problems colleges face than about men and and women who try to lead.

Jackson Kytle is president of Goddard College in Plainfield.