Let the games begin - again.
In October, President Jo Ann Gora announced that the search for Ball State University's next provost would start over.
The initial five-month search was rife with complications and concerns from both faculty and students. Starting over was the right decision in October, and hopefully during the upcoming candidate forums the university will prove that decision was worthwhile.
With $50,000 invested in a search firm and the deadline set by Gora for the new provost to be in office this month, there is no time for another do-over in this search.
The first candidate to have an open forum is Y.T. Shah, the provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of Missouri-Rolla. Shah - like three of the four candidates - has a background in engineering, which Ball State doesn't have a school or department for, But, Shah has years of experience in university administrative positions.
Just as the Student Government Association executives have a major effect on how student views are represented to the administration, the appointment of a provost will have a great effect on the direction of the university as a whole. While the student body's 18 percent voter turnout in the SGA election was less than impressive, if more than 3,500 students showed interest in the provost search, there would be a much greater chance student concerns would take a central role in Gora's final decision.
And the best way to show administrators what students want from this university is to attend the forums, ask the tough questions and fill out the evaluation forms. Especially because there is only one student representative on the search committee, it's important for students to attend the forums and see these candidates for themselves.
In addition, the university will make Web casts of the forums available, so students and faculty who have schedules that conflict with the forum schedule can still catch the candidate's presentations - and fill out evaluations.
However, the best way to get involved in this process is still seeing it all in person: Shah will speak at 3:30 p.m. today in Bracken Library Room 225. All are welcome - and encouraged - to attend.
At a university where searches for some positions are closed to public opinion, students should be taking every opportunity to meet these candidates and share their opinions with the administration.
At these forums, no one is required to represent all students's concerns - so students have to show up and represent themselves.
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
