Shirley Raines, the second of three finalists interviewing this week for The University of Memphis' presidential slot, spoke Tuesday with faculty and students at the Fogelman Executive Center.
Although interviews are required of the candidates by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Raines said her involvement with the community is something for which she has always strived.
"I try to communicate often with people," Raines said. "I'm at a lot of public events where I (am) very involved at student and faculty events."
Recently tuition has increased for universities and colleges across the state. Raines said, if selected as The University's 11th president, she would employ her fundraising abilities to try to curb these financially straining conditions.
"Well first, I'll find out what has already been done, bring together a number of people around campus to come up with a solution, have the Memphis legislative delegation to meet with and find out prospects for improving revenues from the state legislature," Raines said. "I enjoy fund raising - fund raising from private resources for a great cause. I can think of nothing more important than the value of higher education in people's lives."
When President George Bush was elected, many people wondered how he would make the transition into office amidst a nation divided. The same may be true for the person chosen as The University's president.
In support of interim president Ralph Faudree, 260 tenured faculty members signed a petition to have Faudree reinstated on the list of presidential finalists. Faudree and Richard Ranta, Communication and Fine Arts dean, were removed from the list last semester because they were internal candidates.
"I didn't have anything to do with Faudree being (excluded from candidacy)," Raines said. "I can't speak on those merits because it wasn't my decision. We have to look forward."
Raines said she is willing to lend her ear to the concerns of faculty members regarding this issue if she is elected president.
"Groups of faculty who would like to meet with me (can) and faculty members opinions (are important) and (I) would want to hear from them," Raines said.
Many students believe the new the president must be willing to work hand and hand with his or her student body.
"Responding quickly to students' concerns are important," Raines said. "That's why we exist, to help students. I'd like to find many ways to work with students and faculty to enhance The University and its resources."
Students Carrie Van Brunt and Keith Ellis both said Tuesday they were impressed with Raines' credentials.
"(She was) very bright and seems to have a grasp of what issues are," psychology major Carrie Van Brunt said.
"She's very qualified," said philosophy major Keith Ellis. "She seems very involved with academics. I think it went well, she was very student-friendly."
Some of the questions asked of Raines involved increasing the number of students who live on campus and freedom of the student press.
"We have only 2,500 students living on campus. Would you have plans on expanding residence halls to have a better sense of community and retention?" Ellis asked of Raines.
"One of the great universities who chose to build more residence halls is Penn State," Raines answered, "but some work at creating a better sense of community and some don't. In many big universities, one of the things they try to do is break universities down into smaller communities."
When asked how she felt about rights of the student press, Raines said: "I think the press on campus should be a model of what the press ought to be in the real world of journalism. There are, though, some times you can't respond quickly."
Raines said she would make a competent president for The University because of her strong work ethic.
"I work very hard," she said. "I've been accused of being a workaholic. But the reality is I love my work."
Richard Ringeisen, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at East Carolina University, will speak with U of M students, faculty and staff today.
