Rosenthal, Rob, November 13, 2021

In this interview Rob Rosenthal talks about political involvement; mentions his upbringing in a very politically aware family in Long Island; his experiences with radical activism in college; his early work in studying homelessness and urban issues, and his first book Homeless in Paradise. He talks about his investment in strikes and workers' rights right after undergraduate school. He describes his experience coming to Wesleyan, specifically, how he began work here in a field he was relatively unfamiliar with, the activism he perceived and involved himself in while working here, and his work in setting up a Service-Learning Center at Wesleyan University. He reflects on his interests transitioning from homelessness and urban studies to music and community service/organizing and how as a part of administration he advocated for the university to engage more with the community and consider the needs of Middletown when deciding on studies. He recalls his reluctance to accept the position of provost, his later reluctance to come back to serve as an interim provost after his retirement, as well as his relationship with Michael Roth. He reflects on how the provost and deans dealt with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the painstaking work needed to have a robust online program. He concludes by stating how he is enjoying retirement and having more time to make music with his friends.