Students, faculty and alumni had an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns at three public input sessions that were held this week concerning Eastern’s Presidential Search.
The meetings were Monday at 5 p.m. and Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. inside the Student Center.
The university has contracted Parker Executive Search, an Atlanta-based organization, to help with the search process.
“Our job is to recruit, facilitate and advise,” President Laurie Wilder said. “We want to listen and learn as much as possible [about] what you want in [your] next leader.”
She then asked the audience what they were looking for in their next president.
Steve Kwasny, second year political science major, brought up the issue of interdepartmental communication. As a transfer student, he said, he was led all over campus wandering around and searching for answers.
“Is it going to be an important goal [for the president] to have better interdepartmental communication?” he asked.
Sandy Norton, president of Faculty Senate, echoed Kwasny’s concern. “There needs to be a focus on streamlining services,” she said.
Alexandria Judkins, a dietetics major, said, “I’m looking for better communication. I had an issue going to one office and getting pointed in different directions. We need a president to better help students.”
Marques Thomey, an alumnus from 2000, praised Susan Martin for all the good she did on campus.
“Students are used to a president being out in the community,” he said. “[The students] need a balanced president, not just about business of academics, but someone who can keep the balance in check and still attract students.”
Wilder asked the audience what challenges they face as students.
Kwasny brought up the increase in state tuition. “It should be an alarming thing,” he said.
Kwasny also responded to Wilder’s question about what they need to know when recruiting.
“[The new president] can’t take steps back when it comes to security measures,” he said.
At the end of the forum, the search firm told the audience they hope to have a new president named by late winter or early spring. They encouraged the students, faculty and alumni to make recommendations they could pass along to the search committee.
