Senator Ralph Baker held up an ad Thursday at the University Senate meeting, asking who published it.
President Marilyn Buck said she could not answer questions about the page-long description of BSU and its available president's position. She referred them to Frank Bracken, a member of the board of trustees.
"It's the responsibility of the board of trustees to hire a president," Buck said. "Direct your questions to them."
In a Dec. 12 press release, the board published its plans to advertise the president's position and to maintain candidates' confidentiality. The only name the board will release is the next president's, the press release said.
Major universities have the option of conducting closed or open searches, Stan Jones, Indiana's commissioner for higher education, said. Purdue and Indiana University conduct closed searches to maximize the number of candidates, he said.
"Many people don't want to be part of a public process," Jones said. "If someone applied and didn't get the BSU presidency, it might jeopardize their future at the place they were."
Senator Marilyn Flowers described the board's closed search as "silly." She said candidates should visit campus and talk with students and staff before they're hired, like president Blaine Brownell did in 2000.
Baker agreed.
"Last time we had a question and answer session," Baker said. "This is really moving in the wrong direction."
Trustee Kimberly Hood Jacobs said the board hired a different executive search team this year. That's why the process changed, she said.
"Obviously, he's out there trying to find the best candidates," Baker said, describing search consultant Jerry Baker. "He has some fine credentials. He placed the IU president."
Senator Mark Popovich said the board's secrecy could lead to selection of an unqualified candidate. Someone hired as a favor instead of a president, he said.
"They have the opportunity to put someone in the position who either isn't qualified or is chosen for some reason other than credentials," Popovich said.
Jacobs said candidates' identities are kept secret, so they can apply.
"I think we have to protect the folks who are presently working at other universities," Jacobs said.
Nancy Carlson served on the committee that hired Brownell. She's proud to have served on such a democratic committee, she said, but hiring practices have changed.
"People really felt like a part of it," Carlson said. "The way they're doing it now is more common in corporations. The new way is not uncommon -- it's just never been done before at BSU."
Carlson said faculty and students will just have to trust Buck and the board.
"I'm not upset," Carlson said. "We have to trust the trustees to pick the best one. We get who they say we get."
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