by Justin
Boulmay
Staff Writer
A recent poll conducted by The Appalachian revealed a lack
of attendance on the part of students during the Chancellor
Search Forums held in Plemmons Student Union Jan. 17-26.
There survey polled 113 students who completed questions
such as whether they attended the forums, the quality of
the forums themselves and the most pressing university issues
facing students.
When asked if they attended the forums, only three students
said they were in attendance, while the other 110 students
polled said they did not.
Reasons for not attending included lack of knowledge, scheduling
and lack of interest.
Students surveyed thought the most pressing issues for students
included tuition, parking, construction, sports housing,
summer courses and weather.
Some felt the timing of the forums did not sit well with
students’ daily schedules.
“Hopefully, next time they have any kind of forum it
would be during the hours when students can attend,”
Student Government Association (SGA) senator Leila H. Ghannad
said.
Audrey E. Wells, a senior marketing major, said she thought
the timing of the forums caused the lack of attendance.
“I enjoyed being able to go to the forums, but I think
the time was hard to fit in for most students,” she
said.
Other students said they did not attend because the new chancellor,
whoever they may be, would not affect them.
“I really wasn’t interested because I am not
planning on being here next year,” Dustin R. Deal,
a political science major, said.
Some said they felt their opinion was of no value in the
search process.
“I just wish the administration actually listened to
student input, instead of just pretending they did,”
Patrick A. Curry, a senior political science major, said.
Committee member and Human Resources Director Leonard W.
Johnson said he did not know what would account for students
not being there. He said the Search Committee had received
feedback after the beginning of the search, especially on
their Web site.
He also said Staff Council and the SGA were encouraged to
spread word of the forums.
The Chancellor search officially ends Feb. 13.
That afternoon, the Board of Governors will announce which
of the finalists they approved. If they do not approve any
of the candidates selected by both the Search Committee and
University of North Carolina president Molly C. Broad, other
candidates will be selected and the process continued until
one of the finalists is chosen.
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