NDSU presidential selection underway

Written by Brianna Ehley Tuesday, 03 November 2009 08:00

Chancellor Bill Goetz of North Dakota’s State Board of Higher Education met with NDSU faculty and students on Thursday, Oct. 29th, to discuss the procedure of selecting a permanent NDSU president.

Chancellor Goetz speaking to the student government and faculty about the current presidential situation.

Goetz revealed that the nationwide search is already underway. The board is in the process of sending letters to constituency groups in order to form a search committee. The committee will include 16 members from around the area, including students, faculty and members of the Fargo-Moorhead community.

Goetz stressed the importance of creating diversity within the committee to allow good representation from the NDSU community, as well as the city of Fargo. The board will meet in mid-November to make final decisions on the search committee members. Within a week of the meeting, the committee will meet to put a timeline in place for the selection of the new president.

Though the board hopes to make a selection by July, Goetz is more interested in making the right decision than committing to a set deadline. “It is more important to find the right person for NDSU, than have a crash course selection process,” Goetz said.

Although faculty members voiced their concerns about the short seven-month deadline, Goetz is hopeful about the time of year the search is taking place. “We could have an advantage in the search process at this time of year because of what is taking place across the nation’s campuses, fiscally,” Goetz said.

Goetz also commented on NDSU’s interim presidentDr. Richard Hanson, who will assume the position of president Dec. 1. “He has the quality of leadership very much needed at this time,” Goetz said. “He’s coming to the university with a passion, and wanting to give back to NDSU.”

Hanson has publically commented on not seeking the office of permanent president at this time. He has made clear that he is not a candidate, he is the interim president.

Goetz commented on the importance of selecting a candidate that understands the university and the momentum it has been building. “We need a good strong academic representative as well as a research component. Someone that covers both areas, and will keep the momentum of this institution going,” Goetz said.