Presidential search committee looks to students for input
By: Meghan Kazer
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: News
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Sunday's special meeting of Student Congress served as a forum for students to voice their opinions regarding DePauw's future president, as well as a chance for the Presidential Search Committee to hear them.
Last April, President Bottoms announced his retirement upon the end of the 2007-2008 academic year, and the committee is currently in the middle of its search for DePauw's 19th president.
Lisa Hollander, vice president for development and alumni relations, said the committee began its work this past summer, beginning with a session in July intended to gain community input. The process will continue into this spring.
The committee is made up of ten members of the Board of Trustees, four faculty members, two students and one staff member. This is the first time in 22 years that the University has dealt with a search for a new president. According to Hollander, none of the committee members have gone through this process before.
"It is important that all constituencies have their voices heard," said senior John Schomburg, student representative on the committee.
At the meeting, students discussed topics such as the qualities they hope to see in the next president and attributes DePauw has to offer for the next president. Students brought up greek life, the admission process, minorities on campus and tradition. They also talked about class size and co-curricular opportunities. In general, students said they wanted a president who is responsive to all of these aspects of DePauw.
"I thought that every single group was represented in their own way," said junior Katie Schmelzer. "They all had voices and voiced their opinions eloquently. The [students] were all well-represented."
The committee will review the students' input.
"This is one of the most important decisions the University can make," Schomburg said at the opening of the forum. "We really value your input,"
The attention paid by the committee was not unnoticed by students.
Last April, President Bottoms announced his retirement upon the end of the 2007-2008 academic year, and the committee is currently in the middle of its search for DePauw's 19th president.
Lisa Hollander, vice president for development and alumni relations, said the committee began its work this past summer, beginning with a session in July intended to gain community input. The process will continue into this spring.
The committee is made up of ten members of the Board of Trustees, four faculty members, two students and one staff member. This is the first time in 22 years that the University has dealt with a search for a new president. According to Hollander, none of the committee members have gone through this process before.
"It is important that all constituencies have their voices heard," said senior John Schomburg, student representative on the committee.
At the meeting, students discussed topics such as the qualities they hope to see in the next president and attributes DePauw has to offer for the next president. Students brought up greek life, the admission process, minorities on campus and tradition. They also talked about class size and co-curricular opportunities. In general, students said they wanted a president who is responsive to all of these aspects of DePauw.
"I thought that every single group was represented in their own way," said junior Katie Schmelzer. "They all had voices and voiced their opinions eloquently. The [students] were all well-represented."
The committee will review the students' input.
"This is one of the most important decisions the University can make," Schomburg said at the opening of the forum. "We really value your input,"
The attention paid by the committee was not unnoticed by students.
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