In a Surprise, Cornell Chief Steps Down

By JULIANNE BASINGER

He blames disagreements with trustees for departure after only 2 years in the job

Alumni at Cornell University sat in a hot arena, fanning themselves and shifting in their folding chairs as Jeffrey S. Lehman gave a speech typical of a college president during reunion weekend. He recounted the institution's accomplishments, hailing his "fellow Cornellians" and praising the "towering ambition" and "genius" of Ezra Cornell, the university's founder. He expounded on the university's