Officials ask for student response
Tyler Peterson
Some involved students took the opportunity Wednesday to tell members of the presidential search committee what they want from the person who will be running the U next year.
The committee organized the meeting-just one of nine designed to gather input from various groups-inviting all students give input regarding the topic. About 40 students attended, most of whom were current or former student government representatives.
One of the major things students said they wanted to see was a president who had the ability to create more of a community feeling on campus.
Adrian Johnson, president of the Associated Students of the University of Utah, was one of the loudest voices regarding this issue.
“I don’t think we’re doing well. Students are going to class and they’re going to work…We have a huge lack of community [at the U]. We want a president who can bring students on campus and [help the U] get away from the commuter-campus image,” Johnson said.
Jim Jardine, member of the Utah State Board of Regents and chairman of the 21 member search committee, said he was “quite confident” that the ability to create a stronger sense of community would be on the list of criteria for the open position.
Students said they felt that promotion of athletics, campuswide recycling, security issues, traditions and student unity should be important to the new president. Characteristically, he or she should be technologically savvy, have political clout, understand how local politics work, be willing to work with different college departments, be pro-greek, be able to raise the U’s ranking and be able to connect with students on their level, students said.
Some students also hoped that the new president would be willing to support a new recreation center and renovations to the library.
Though this was the only meeting specifically for students to provide input, Jardine says “There are no deadlines on comment.”
Students who still wish to comment can e-mail the Commissioner of Higher Education, Richard Kendell, at [email protected].
Jardine assured that what students say is weighed with equal importance compared with any other group’s comments.
Karen Huntsman, community representative of the committee, said, “One vote, one person participating makes a huge difference.”
Faculty surveyed turn out low
Andrew Kirk
Jim Jardine, Utah Regent and chairman of the search committee to find a replacement for outgoing U president Bernie Machen, lead a discussion Wednesday afternoon in the Social and Behavioral Science Auditorium to get a feel for what U staff and faculty members would like to see in their new president.
Only about 10 staff members attended the meeting.
Those present agreed the staff had been sufficiently notified of the event, but many were just too busy to attend or weren’t interested in giving input.
Those in attendance voiced what they liked or disliked about past presidents and listed qualifications they believed a new president ought to have.
Most remarks centered around the importance of having a president who will care about every aspect of the university and will work to emphasize unity. They agreed the president should be able to make friends in the community and with the Utah State Legislature.
The importance of having good legislative relations and respect for the culture of the West and Utah were also mentioned during Jardine’s meeting with the staff council earlier this month.
Concern for the U’s undergraduate program was also brought up in the meeting for the first time since the formation of the search committee, Jardine said. In previous search committees-at the U or otherwise-the undergraduate program has been a major concern among faculty, staff and students, Jardine said. Wednesday’s meeting was the first time it had been brought up this year and Jardine said he found that “strange”.
Despite the small turnout, Jardine said the meeting was a success because of the helpful input offered.
Before ending, Jardine warned that it isn’t realistic to expect to find someone with all the qualities desired by the U community, but that the input given by staff members would be helpful during the screening process.
As of yet, the search committee is still seeking input and won’t begin considering candidates until late January.
Several more meetings with the community, U alumni and Health Science faculty are scheduled for later this week, Jardine said.