 |
|
| Forums hear student, staff issues |
|
| Peter Larkins | The Appalachian |
| Dr. Michael Haynes, president
of Georgia Southwestern State University, answered
questions regarding graduate programs, staff
involvement and child programs at last week's
chancellor search forums. |
• Undergrads make weak
showing at chancellor forums
by Justin Boulmay
Staff Writer
While a few undergraduate students did attend the Chancellor
Search Forums last week, there was a consistent presence
by graduate students and Appalachian State University staff
members.
The two groups were present at each forum to ask questions
to each of the six candidates, one of whom may be selected
as the next chancellor.
Graduate Student Association Senator Bradley Miller said
there were certain issues he hoped the candidates would address.
“We are concerned about tuition, we’re concerned
about safety on campus, we are concerned about the leadership
and where the chancellor envisions this university going,”
Miller said.
Miller also said that Appalachian wants to be a comprehensive
university, but it cannot do that without a strong graduate
program. A weak program may cause qualified faculty members
to look to other schools for employment, he said.
“A stronger graduate program always, I feel, makes
the university better, because you’re able to attract
higher-caliber researchers,” Miller said.
GSA President Jennifer A. Carter asked Friday’s candidate,
Georgia Southwestern State University President Michael L.
Hanes, the importance of graduate students at a university.
“Having a campus that has an active, vibrant graduate
program has a positive impact on other programs,” Hanes
said in reply.
Staff members were also consistent in attendance, questioning
the candidates on issues such as a decrease in staff salaries
while living and health costs continue to increase, and the
role of university staff.
Teresa S. Johnson said she wanted to know the importance
of the State Employees Association of North Carolina in the
eyes of the candidates. Johnson serves as State District
3 chair for SEANC, an organization that represents state
employees to the legislature in Raleigh.
Johnson’s father and grandfather have worked at Appalachian
State in the past. Collectively, she said the three of them
have worked under every chancellor the university has known
since its establishment as a teaching college in 1899.
Other issues raised in the forums included the increase in
tuition and fees and parking.
“As a Staff Council President, and as a staff member,
I’m completely satisfied,” Staff Council President
and Search Committee member Terri M. Miller said Friday.
“I think the forums have been very open … and,
in talking with other staff members, I feel that the staff
as a whole is very pleased.”
The open forums end Jan. 27. The Search Committee intends
to have its three finalists to submit to University of North
Carolina President Molly C. Broad by the end of the month,
committee chair Robert G. Fox Jr., said.
Broad will recommend one candidate to the Board of Governors,
Fox said.
The Board of Governors will meet on Friday, Feb. 13 to accept
or decline Broad’s recommendation. Should they decline,
the Search Committee will have to pick three new finalists,
Fox said.
|
|
 |
 |
