There is a job opening at Ball State. It is an important position, and the university is looking for a qualified person to fill it. How the Board of Trustees and President Search Committee are going about that hiring process raised eyebrows and concerns at Thursday's University Senate meeting.
The trustees decided to keep the search-and-selection process for Ball State's new president confidential. This means students, faculty, staff, Student Government Association and the University Senate will not hear anything about the candidates until the new university president is selected.
Trustee Kimberly Hood Jacobs said that making the process public might shy some people from applying for the position. Another reason for the privacy is to protect potential applicants currently working at other universities.
It is understandable that the trustees and search committee want to find the most qualified candidate to fill the position. Students, faculty and staff would agree that creating a larger window for applicants can be beneficial to the search.
However, this search method is missing the input of these three groups.
Ball State is looking for a university leader. The university needs a qualified decision-maker, higher-education expert and diplomat who is open to suggestions from the people he represents.
Faculty members said the 2000 presidential search involved faculty and students more.
Ball State is a learning institution. It is the stepping stone for students to their careers. They pay tuition and attend classes with faculty. Both parties are affected by the decisions the president makes.
If the Board and the committee knew it would keep this portion of the search private, some portion of the search should have been made more public to ensure that every voice was being heard.
The search committee was chosen at random. There was no application process, and only one student serves on the committee. This committee could do an excellent job of selecting a president.
But with no input during the process as applicants come in, trustees and search committee members may not know they have chosen the best person for the job.
This process may also be difficult for applicants, who will not get a chance to interact with faculty, students and staff.
If the decision to keep this process behind closed doors is permanent, the Ball State community is looking to the trustees and committee members to make the right decision. We'd love to help you, but we're just not allowed.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
