The Oregon University System took its first step in what will become an intensive search for University President Dave Frohnmayer’s successor Monday by hosting its first public forum for University faculty, students, staff and community members to voice what they feel are good qualities to have in a president. Frohnmayer announced last month that he will leave his post at the end of the 2008-2009 school year.
OUS Chancellor George Pernsteiner hosted the forum Monday morning, taking comments and questions from the audience.
“There was a lot of commonality among the groups … The University community is congruent,” said Pernsteiner. He added that the faculty forum was focused on having a president with a sound foundation in higher education who had a terminal degree. The members hoped the president would be consultative with the faculty.
The student forum emphasized the importance of having a candidate who could balance the different responsibilities of the position, including fundraising, collaboration and academics, said Pernsteiner. The group pointed out how important it is for the president to lead the University in terms of globalization.
The faculty echoed the need to find a president who would be able to propel the University into the global scene, while also being attentive to the needs of the campus – someone who understands the academic side while participating and enabling fundraising.
Luke Maurer, a junior geography major, attended the open forum because he feels that it is important to participate in the search because it has a huge effect on students.
“The way to directly affect the University is to directly participate,” said Maurer.
During the open forum, an audience member asked if the search would be open or closed. Pernsteiner responded that the decision had not yet been made, adding that there are pros and cons on both sides.
Holding an open search generates support and excitement for the newly hired president. However, Pernsteiner said that the disadvantage of an open search is that sitting presidents and deans at other Universities don’t apply for the position because they don’t want to jeopardize their current positions.
He said that it’s important to keep “candidates confidential to keep qualified people in the pool, but (also) make sure that people believe you have the right candidate.”
Pernsteiner will be selecting members to form a search committee for presidential candidates during the next few weeks, and he will announce the 20 or more committee members at the next state Board of Higher Education meeting on June 6.
The committee will meet during the summer to write a University president job description proposal that will be reviewed by the University community in the fall. Additionally, during the summer, OUS will hire a search consultant who will seek out desirable candidates.
Next fall, Pernsteiner will hold a similar open forum for students, faculty, staff and community members to weigh in with their opinions again, he said.
During fall 2008 and winter 2009, the search committee will narrow the field of candidates, then make recommendations to Pernsteiner, who will ultimately be responsible for hiring the new president.
Pernsteiner hopes to announce the new president at the April 2009 board meeting. The new president will then spend the remainder of the spring working with Frohnmayer to become acquainted with the new position.
Those who wish to share their ideas about what qualities a new University president should have can also contact [email protected].
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The search for new University president begins
Daily Emerald
May 19, 2008
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