Spring Break
Committee begins chancellor search
Senior, student committee member
Brian Reisinger
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: Campus News
Though the list of potential candidates for the UW-Eau Claire chancellorship will remain confidential until January, members of the Search and Screen Committee say they need public input to help establish selection criteria.
"The chancellor is an individual who has to act in the best interest of the university, taking into account the interest of a tremendously broad range of constituents," Bob Hooper, chair of the committee, said Wednesday. "We're very interested in hearing what students have to say."
Hooper presented a timeline for the chancellor search to University Senate Tuesday, explaining that releasing the names of potential candidates during the search and screening process could threaten their current positions.
Throughout November and December, the 15-member committee, composed of university faculty, administrators, students and Eau Claire residents, will select 10 to 12 candidates.
Committee members will conduct off-campus interviews and narrow the pool to a list of five finalists, which they will submit to the Board of Regents.
The objective, Hooper said, is to select five candidates the committee, university and Eau Claire community would be "delighted" to accept as the new chancellor.
An important aspect of achieving that goal, committee members said, is sampling public opinion.
The committee already has met with Eau Claire community members and university employees past and present. There also are plans for a sit-down with area legislators and an open forum during which students can convey their expectations.
"What we would like to hear is whether or not there are special concerns that students have," Hooper said.
Student committee member and senior Jeff Baldovin said the committee wants to maintain an innovative, flexible approach.
"We have to think out of the box and keep our options open," he said.
Baldovin said the committee has to consider a candidate's academic, business and political capabilities, deciding which area of expertise is most important to the university.
Freshman Sara Clark said while having a well-rounded chancellor is important, one who adopts a business approach may be the most effective.
"Yeah, they should know about teaching, but that's not what they're doing here," she said.
Freshman Matt Harris disagreed, saying an academically-oriented chancellor would improve the education Eau Claire offers and perhaps draw money to the university.
"If (the new chancellor) helps all the students, the government might be able to give more grants," he said.
Both students agreed they want a chancellor who maintains close contact with the student body and is aware of their needs.
"(I want) somebody who works for the best interest of students, making sure they're getting the best experience possible," Harris said.
UW System President Kevin Reilly will announce the five finalists Jan. 17. Those finalists will visit the UW-Eau Claire campus for the first and only time during the screening process, from Jan. 23 to Jan. 27.
Part of the process, Hooper said, will be to "sell the campus" to the candidates, persuading them that coming to UW-Eau Claire would be worthwhile.
The Board of Regents and Reilly will make a final decision on or around Feb. 9 or 10, and the new chancellor will start July 1.
"The chancellor is an individual who has to act in the best interest of the university, taking into account the interest of a tremendously broad range of constituents," Bob Hooper, chair of the committee, said Wednesday. "We're very interested in hearing what students have to say."
| "We have to think out of the box and keep our options open." -Jeff Baldovin Senior, student committee member |
Hooper presented a timeline for the chancellor search to University Senate Tuesday, explaining that releasing the names of potential candidates during the search and screening process could threaten their current positions.
Throughout November and December, the 15-member committee, composed of university faculty, administrators, students and Eau Claire residents, will select 10 to 12 candidates.
Committee members will conduct off-campus interviews and narrow the pool to a list of five finalists, which they will submit to the Board of Regents.
The objective, Hooper said, is to select five candidates the committee, university and Eau Claire community would be "delighted" to accept as the new chancellor.
An important aspect of achieving that goal, committee members said, is sampling public opinion.
The committee already has met with Eau Claire community members and university employees past and present. There also are plans for a sit-down with area legislators and an open forum during which students can convey their expectations.
"What we would like to hear is whether or not there are special concerns that students have," Hooper said.
Student committee member and senior Jeff Baldovin said the committee wants to maintain an innovative, flexible approach.
"We have to think out of the box and keep our options open," he said.
Baldovin said the committee has to consider a candidate's academic, business and political capabilities, deciding which area of expertise is most important to the university.
Freshman Sara Clark said while having a well-rounded chancellor is important, one who adopts a business approach may be the most effective.
"Yeah, they should know about teaching, but that's not what they're doing here," she said.
Freshman Matt Harris disagreed, saying an academically-oriented chancellor would improve the education Eau Claire offers and perhaps draw money to the university.
"If (the new chancellor) helps all the students, the government might be able to give more grants," he said.
Both students agreed they want a chancellor who maintains close contact with the student body and is aware of their needs.
"(I want) somebody who works for the best interest of students, making sure they're getting the best experience possible," Harris said.
UW System President Kevin Reilly will announce the five finalists Jan. 17. Those finalists will visit the UW-Eau Claire campus for the first and only time during the screening process, from Jan. 23 to Jan. 27.
Part of the process, Hooper said, will be to "sell the campus" to the candidates, persuading them that coming to UW-Eau Claire would be worthwhile.
| Public Input Forum All students are invited to express their expectations for the new chancellor Time: 4-6 p.m. Date: Wednesday Place: Schofield Auditorium |
The Board of Regents and Reilly will make a final decision on or around Feb. 9 or 10, and the new chancellor will start July 1.