If you mention the name Dr. Paul T. Mu in Chinese circles on the West Coast, there will be very few people who won't have heard of him. Although Dr. Mu occupies positions of responsibility in numerous organizations both at home and abroad, and has a string of titles after his name, his namecard bears only two of them: that of Professor of Economics and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at California State University, together with that of Member of the Legislative Yuan, Republic of China.

Dr. Mu is an example of a man who has risen through the ranks to the top. Beginning as Assistant Professor in the Economics Department, he was then promoted to Associate Professor, to full Professor and finally Head of Department, accumulating no small amount of qualifications and experience on the way.

In addition to scholarship and administrative ability, a man in charge of academic affairs must also have an understanding of the whole university environment. As Dr. Mu stressed, "It is only by taking part in numerous meetings that one can develop a profound knowledge of university affairs. If you want people to look upon you as a real 'insider,' then you just have to play an important part in meetings related to everything from class work, financial affairs to student activities."

For the almost eighteen months since Dr. Mu took up his post, he has indeed played the part of a high-ranking officer. In the estimation of his colleagues, he is a man well familiar with academic affairs who is capable of grasping a situation and making quick, decisive judgments; a man who is able to delegate to others and who can be fair in his consideration of a case as it stands.

At the same time, the observations he makes in his administration of academic affairs often help him offer suggestions in his capacity as a member of the Republic of China National Assembly. In addition, he does a great deal to promote and develop the study of Oriental languages in the United States.

During the last few years the volume of trade in the Pacific region has overtaken that of the Atlantic. Consequently, an increasing number of universities are placing greater emphasis on research into the economics, politics, and culture of Oriental countries, including of course, the study of their respective languages. For example, the California State University in Los Angeles has recently raised the number of teachers of Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Dr. Mu had a key role in the decision to start new classes and to make more teachers available to take them.

Despite always being on the go, Dr. Mu never gives the impression of a man overwhelmed by responsibility; never flies off into a temper and never allows things to reach a state of chaos. "An economist, of all people, should be able to organize his time according to the principles of economics. If he can't then he really doesn't deserve the name and may as well pull down his signboard and shut up shop," he joked. First, if you want to get a lot done then you have to be prepared to spend a good deal of time and second, you have to make the most of that time. An administrator has to attend dozens of meetings and so he learns to use the spaces between meetings to prepare his materials and eliminate unnecessary details, unless of course, he is chairing the meeting, in which case he needs to know as much as possible about the issues at hand.

"Although in changing to an administrative post I have had to make certain sacrifices in my academic studies, I feel bound to pave the way for those that follow me, and therefore unable to shirk my responsibilities. I don't particularly like acting the 'official' but I do want to do what I can." However he still looks forward to the day he can return to his more scholarly pursuits.

[Picture Caption]

In the rare quiet of a relaxed weekend, the Mu couple received our reporter in their home. When the time came to be photo-graphed, Dr. Mu, veteran of so many large conferences, said, "I don't know what face to pull!"

During the lunch hour, Dr. Mu strolls in the campus, greeting colleagues and stopping for a chat. The bronze statue of Confucius in the background was erected as a result of Dr. Mu's promptings.

Although Dr. Mu, the economist, is now engaged in administrative work, he has not lost his scholar's character.

During the lunch hour, Dr. Mu strolls in the campus, greeting colleagues and stopping for a chat. The bronze statue of Confucius in the background was erected as a result of Dr. Mu's promptings.

Although Dr. Mu, the economist, is now engaged in administrative work, he has not lost his scholar's character.