Thursday, February 12, 2009
In the process of hiring a new chancellor to replace Robert Hemenway, a chairman and search committee were chosen by the Board of Regents to recruit possible candidates.
We think the search committee should have included an additional student member and an additional faculty member, specifically from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Currently, the search committee does not accurately represent academics as a priority.
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Contact the Board of Regents at (785) 296-3421 or www.kansasregents.org
There were three students on the 1994 search committee that brought Robert Hemenway to the University: the student body president, the 1994 Truman scholar, and a second-year medical student. Since then, enrollment has increased and is now at a record high, yet this year’s committee includes only one student.
Pittsburg State University and Kansas State University are both currently searching for presidential candidates and have similar search committees acting as recruiters. Pittsburg State’s committee includes two students, and Kansas State’s has three student members.
We also think a representative from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences should have been elected to the committee. CLAS is comprised of at least 1,400 faculty and graduate teaching assistants, and more than 17,000 students. According to the CLAS Web site, almost half of the University’s students earn their bachelor’s degrees from this college. Because this college represents such a large portion of the students and faculty, it deserves to be involved in the recruitment of the University’s next chancellor.
The search committee was selected by Regents Chairwoman Donna Shank, Regents Vice Chairwoman Jill Docking, Regents CEO and President Reggie Robinson and Search Committee Chairman Drue Jennings. The Board of Regents then approved it.
In an article in the Lawrence Journal World on Dec. 30, 2008, it was clear the chairman was not selected for his academic qualifications.
“His previous business, volunteer and leadership experience is such an invaluable asset,” said Shank. “As a former CEO, Drue has a wealth of business and executive experience.”
This kind of business experience is necessary in the search for the next chancellor, however the committee members should make up for what the chairman is lacking in academic experience. It is essential to have both business and academic interests represented in the committee in order to maintain balance and ensure a priority on education is not forgotten. Unfortunately, the 18-member committee does not meet these standards.
The current search committee is a reflection of giving precedence to athletic, business and economic gain. Along with these, the first priority of the University should always be education and academic excellence. The search committee, as well as the next chancellor should reflect that.
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Comments
Editorial: Chancellor search committee needs more students, faculty
I'm not sure what you think academics has to do with the university. I am also not sure why Lew Perkins is not the chairman. I am also not sure why Lew Perkins is not the chancellor. That is the only thing that would make any sense to me based on how the school operates. On the other hand, if Lew is busy, we could always make White Owl do it. He's never busy.
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