After concerns over the pool of candidates for university president, another presidential search committee meeting will take place today -- this time with TBR Chancellor Charles Manning and Dr. Charles Knapp from the Heidrick & Struggles executive search firm.
The Faculty and Staff Senate along with SGA are working together to increase attendance at the meeting.
Faculty Senate president Bill Gutzke said he advocates everyone being present at the public meeting.
"Anyone interested in the (presidential search) process is encouraged to attend," he said.
The meeting will cover issues brought up by various members of the Faculty Senate concerning the process of selection for the next president and possibly other candidates for the presidency discovered by Heidrick & Struggles.
"We're going to talk about the presidential search," Gutzke said. "Hopefully Dr. Knapp will also present other people who have applied through his agencies."
"We want representation from all three groups (Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and SGA). I'd like to see them there," Gutzke said.
Maurice Williams, Staff Senate president and coordinator of crime prevention, said he felt this search is a very important process for The U of M community.
"(This is) one of the most important decisions that has faced The University for quite some time," Williams said. " I believe this president will have the opportunity to empower this institution to move into a new era."
James Rudolph, SGA president, said he feels the presidential search is a crucial matter and students should attend.
"I feel it's very important, (and the SGA) will make sure that (the) students have representation," Rudolph said.
According to the agenda, there are four segments of the meeting. There will be discussions from non-committee members, a review of the recent process, comments and suggestions for Knapp and discussion among committee members concerning the search process.
Williams said Dr. Lane Rawlins' administration was very beneficial to The University and those benefits left a lasting impression. However, he said he looks forward to a new president that can bring about additional change.
"I feel the measures of (Rawlins) contributions we will still be reaping 10 or 15 years down the road," Williams said. "It is time for change, we must find a leader who has the (vision) and fortitude to lead us through this change, I know we're ready."
The meeting will take place tonight at 7 in room 118 of the Fogelman School of Business and Economics.
