Spring Break
Stakeholders debate national presidential search
Emily Johnson
Issue date: 5/11/09 Section: News
Students and faculty traded verbal jabs Friday, debating whether or not the university needs to conduct a nation-wide search for a permanent president.
At a series of stakeholder meetings meant to gather the CSU community's input on the presidential search process, supporters of Interim President Tony Frank encouraged the CSU System Board of Governors Chair Doug Jones and newly appointed Chancellor Joe Blake to forgo a national search and name Frank CSU's permanent president.
"What I'd like to see is someone who can earn the respect of various constituents both on and off campus. Tony Frank has been able to do that in a very short time," said Richard Eykholt, the chair of the faculty counsel, stressing the importance of choosing someone who is committed to CSU and not merely looking for a steppingstone in their career.
"He has succeeded at the university more than anyone else has. We like him. We trust him," said Barry Lewis, the accounting department chair, on behalf of his department.
Students echoed these sentiments.
"I really like Tony Frank. He relates well with students and also knows how to disagree professionally. He's a good candidate. I endorse him," said Tim Sellers, the student government chief of staff-elect.
However, not everyone supported appointing Frank just because he is already in office, and questions about equal opportunity arose.
"It's obvious that there's already someone in mind," said one of the stakeholders who left before Collegian reporters could
get his name, referring to comments made in a previous Collegian article and statements made during the meeting.
"An open search needs to be done nationally. We don't know who's out there. This opportunity needs to be available to everyone … minorities, a woman."
Though Jones said he is supportive of equal opportunity, he made clear that the BOG is not obligated to conduct an open search, and said the meeting is the first step in analyzing the situation to determine if a national search is necessary.
At a series of stakeholder meetings meant to gather the CSU community's input on the presidential search process, supporters of Interim President Tony Frank encouraged the CSU System Board of Governors Chair Doug Jones and newly appointed Chancellor Joe Blake to forgo a national search and name Frank CSU's permanent president.
"What I'd like to see is someone who can earn the respect of various constituents both on and off campus. Tony Frank has been able to do that in a very short time," said Richard Eykholt, the chair of the faculty counsel, stressing the importance of choosing someone who is committed to CSU and not merely looking for a steppingstone in their career.
"He has succeeded at the university more than anyone else has. We like him. We trust him," said Barry Lewis, the accounting department chair, on behalf of his department.
Students echoed these sentiments.
"I really like Tony Frank. He relates well with students and also knows how to disagree professionally. He's a good candidate. I endorse him," said Tim Sellers, the student government chief of staff-elect.
However, not everyone supported appointing Frank just because he is already in office, and questions about equal opportunity arose.
"It's obvious that there's already someone in mind," said one of the stakeholders who left before Collegian reporters could
get his name, referring to comments made in a previous Collegian article and statements made during the meeting.
"An open search needs to be done nationally. We don't know who's out there. This opportunity needs to be available to everyone … minorities, a woman."
Though Jones said he is supportive of equal opportunity, he made clear that the BOG is not obligated to conduct an open search, and said the meeting is the first step in analyzing the situation to determine if a national search is necessary.
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