On July 1 the University and its $600 million budget will be placed into new hands as Chancellor Robert Hemenway is replaced after 14 years of running the show. The search committee members, led by chairman Drue Jennings, should keep academics and students as priorities when giving their recommendations to the Kansas Board of Directors.

This transition in leadership is a tremendous opportunity for positive change, as long as the incoming chancellor lives up to the University’s standards. Here are the top three qualities the next person to fill the job should have.

1. Connect with students

The new chancellor must make an effort to connect with students on a personal level. That means being available in person to answer their questions and respond to their criticisms. The chancellor should consider teaching a class, or even hanging out on Wescoe Beach once in a while.

2. Implement green initiatives

In October 2008, Chancellor Hemenway outlined six initiatives to guide the University’s mission, one of which was to move forward with environmental sustainability.

“The new KU will be a Green University. The specter of global warming creates many challenges ... KU researchers will be at the forefront of efforts to understand this warming.”

There are numerous student groups dedicated to the environment, and it is also a priority for Student Senate. The incoming chancellor should be aware that sustainability is important to students. The office should be dedicated to making this University greener, as well as working with global efforts.

The next chancellor must have the skills and experience to administer a large public university and deal with the political challenges that come at a time of increasing pressure, financial or otherwise, on higher education.

3. Balance athletics and academics

Athletics are an important part of this University, one that attracts students from around the nation. The new chancellor should understand the importance of KU sports and maintain a relationship with the Athletics Department that continues to attract talented people such as Mark Mangino and Bill Self to the University.

At the same time, however, the chancellor should balance this interest with academics, providing an atmosphere that allows academics to flourish alongside athletics.