The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Katie Stevens In an effort to express interest in the CSU Chancellor position, former U.S. senator Wayne Allard meets with ASCSU president Taylor Smoot and vice-president Quinn Gerrins in Smoot's office in the Lory Student Center on Friday. Allard served as a Republican senator from 1997-2008 and as the representative of the 4th district from 1991-1996.

Expressing interest in the role of CSU chancellor - a position which was officially created by the CSU System Board of Governors on Wednesday - former U.S. Senator Wayne Allard met with student government reps. Friday morning in a closed-door session.

Taylor Smoot, president of the Associated Students of CSU, said the former senator asked to meet with him to find out what students cared about.

Smoot, who called Allard "a great guy" who'd given much to CSU in his time and lobbying efforts in Denver, said it was a "big deal" to have a U.S. senator visit the student government president's office for input.

Allard, a CSU alumnus who recently ended his 12-year tenure in Senate, called BOG chair Doug Jones soon after former CSU President Larry Penley's Nov. 5 departure to express his interest in the then-only potential chancellor role.

"The board thinks it's great that someone with (Allard's) experience in public service is interested in serving a leadership role at CSU," head BOG spokesperson Michele McKinney said at the end of last year.

Steve Wymer, a spokesperson for Allard, said the former senator would be best fit for a fundraising, legislative and figurehead position.

The board, which posted the chancellor's official job description Wednesday, said it will seek out a chancellor with both a strong understanding of academic values and the culture of higher education and proven experience in operating in a political environment.

McKinney said preferential treatment would not be given to a candidate with a political background.

Continued...

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