Only one month on the job and Dr. Saunders is making big changes for the better. Things are really looking up.

Wow, a president who actually trusts her subordinates to do the right thing! What a novel idea!

This a good first step.  The second step is to verify. The third step is to come down hard and publicly on those who violate her trust.  These three steps are necessary in any organization that has a budget and is responsible to a constituency (usually a private sector entity or a tax funded entity).  If either step two or three (or both) are not completed, the outcome is worse than micromanaging.  The first violator of her trust should be summarily dismissed and the reasons made clear to the rest of the group.  Both good and bad subordinates need information to do their job well.  Firing someone and then keeping the reason secret sends many different signals including the one most will grab which is, the President (provost or dean) personally did not like the employee.  This allows others to believe that being a sycophant is more important then doing a good job.  I am of the opinion that this President is committed to having a competent and professional management team.  But to paraphrase Margaret Thatcher, she cannot go wobbly with members of her administration.  While she may not have much experience being a President, her career path indicates that she is a mentally tough individual and also pragmatic.  It would almost impossible to raise a large family and have such a successful career without those two traits.  Even so, she will need all of the support she can get to drag USM out of its doldrums.