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Community voices opinion about what they want to see in next president

Junior Griffith Williams, intermediate photography major, comes to the Student open forum on April 22, at the Burkhart building to ask questions about the search for a new president and to share his opinions about it. DN PHOTO STEPHANIE AMADOR
Junior Griffith Williams, intermediate photography major, comes to the Student open forum on April 22, at the Burkhart building to ask questions about the search for a new president and to share his opinions about it. DN PHOTO STEPHANIE AMADOR

University officials want to get community opinions on what qualities people want to see in the next president.

On April 21 and 22, the presidential search committee held open forums for faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members to voice their opinions and concerns for the needs of Ball State and its community as a whole.

Throughout each meeting, many people gave their input, commenting on the current state of things, as well as the qualities that Ball State needs in a leader.

Elizabeth Peeler, a health educator, has been at Ball State for less than a semester, but she's noticed that Ferguson had a strong connection with his students, which shows through the outcry that followed his resignation.

“I can feel this underlying current of tension with people wondering, ‘What’s going on?'" Peeler said.

Ashley Taylor, an instructor and residence hall director, said she wanted someone who faculty members or students would be able to get in contact with.

She said other universities have found it difficult to have consistent contact with their presidents. Ball State has set a precedent and standard for a high level of communication, and many would like that standard to be met in the future, she said.

When asked what qualities they wanted in prospective presidents, many people were concerned about the longevity of the candidate's plan.

Brian Meekin, associate director of admissions, said he wanted “somebody who’s not going to use this as just a stepping stone.”

The length of Ferguson’s term here worried him that Ball State may lose another president before the expected length of the job.

Abby Haworth, also from the Office of Admissions, said she hopes the new president has a vision for 10-12 years from now. Regardless of how long they stay, she hopes they will build toward a successful future for Ball State.

Since its creation, Ball State has been an anchor for the community. What happens here impacts residents of Muncie and Delaware County.

Scott Truex, an urban design professor, wants the president to have a willingness to engage directly with the community, something Ferguson had already been doing.

“One of the things that I think has been exciting as part of the transition was the strong sense that President Ferguson provided of people having a voice and having the opportunity to express themselves and the openness at receiving that," Truex said. "The other thing that was very refreshing was the commitment to the community of Muncie. … The university cannot be an island.”

Erin Moore, a public relations professor and the communications coordinator for Ball State’s community outreach, said students have expressed that they find Ball State to be something of an island, separate from Muncie, so it's important to extend the university's reach further.

“Ball State students and faculty have been doing great things in the community for many, many years, and I'd love to see a president who continues that," Moore said.

However, Levi Todd, a sophomore English major, said the university needs transparency and support to maintain the position of president.

“We can talk all we want about how we want a president that’s devoted to students and committed to academic integrity, [but] … I don’t think that this dialogue matters unless we scrutinize the ways in which we’re going to make sure that whoever comes on board is going to stay here with the support of the administration," Todd said.

Todd has spoken out before at Board of Trustees meetings about the lack of transparency at the university.

The search committee will continue its deliberation in the following months, but it is still not setting any deadline for themselves.

John Thornburgh, a senior partner with consulting firm Witt/Kiefer, said the Board of Trustees could choose the next university president as soon as October 2016, but also that "timelines and deadlines shouldn't stand in the way of exceptional results."

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