Though Ball State took less than a year to find a new president, the university is having a harder time hiring a dean for the College of Communication, Information and Media.
Acting President Beverley Pitts announced in a letter to the college that she was closing the search for this year because the search committee could not find any suitable candidates.
Scott Olson announced in May 2003 he was resigning as dean of the college to take the position of vice president of Academic Affairs at Minnesota State University. The search committee was formed at the beginning of the 2003-04 academic year.
Ray Montagno, search committee chairman, said the two candidates who visited the college did not fit well with the school, though he couldn't give specifics.
Acting Dean Michael Holmes said that though he wasn't part of the search committee, he didn't feel the candidates would be able to help everyone in the college.
"Speaking as faculty, both candidates had strengths in particular areas, but neither had general strengths," Holmes said.
Holmes said the president would create a new search committee next school year.
It isn't unusual for a dean search to take more than a year, Holmes said, and he thought next year's search will be successful.
Nancy Carlson, chairwoman of the Department of Telecommunications, said she thought one problem in finding a dean was other schools in Ball State's situation.
"I think lots of schools are looking for deans of colleges of communication ... so we've go lots of competition," she said.
Holmes said other communication colleges were also unable to find deans this year.
Until a dean is chosen, Holmes said Pitts asked him to continue to serve as interim dean for the 2004-05 academic year.
Holmes said he feels his second year in the position will be easier because he can use what he learned from his first year.
Carlson said she wasn't worried that Holmes would continue as interim dean.
"He's terrific, and I don't think anybody's upset that he's going to be here for two years," Carlson said.
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