Spring Break
Students offer suggestions to aid in search for new university president
Chloe Thompson
Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: News
02/13/09 - As University of Rhode Island President Robert L. Carothers prepares to retire, the search continues for his replacement.
Last night, students were invited to a forum held in the Multicultural Center to discuss the search process and offer suggestions as to what they'd like to see in their next president.
Jacqueline Mildner, a managing associate from Isaacson, Miller, the Washington, D.C.- based search firm hired to find Carother's replacement, hosted the forum.
Though search efforts kicked off in December, Mildner has been collecting input from different "constituencies," like the faculty, administration and fundraising committees to help narrow down candidates.
During the forum Mildner asked the two students present what qualities they'd like in their next president.
"We'd like to see the trend continue of having someone who listens to our concerns," junior Jacob Holzman said.
Holzman, an ocean engineering major, said someone with charisma would also be beneficial.
Jeffrey Borden, a fifth year engineering and French major agreed, "A nice charismatic leader ... I think, would be a good fit."
Both students agreed that with a budget deficit and dwindling support from the state, securing funds for the university would have to be a priority.
Borden suggested someone who had "more of a business background."
"Carothers, he came from a literary world and then moved up into the higher education realm," Borden said.
"We need someone who's going to go into Providence and go into the Statehouse and fight the battle smartly," Holzman said.
As the students spoke, Mildner recorded the conversation on her laptop. She told the students that it's important she's aware of the issues.
"If [a presidential candidate] asks me the issues on campus, I'd like to be able to give them a few bullets," Mildner said.
During the next month, Isaacson, Miller hopes to find about 20 candidates and narrow that group down to six or seven semi-finalists. Two or three finalists will then be presented to the university.
Last night, students were invited to a forum held in the Multicultural Center to discuss the search process and offer suggestions as to what they'd like to see in their next president.
Jacqueline Mildner, a managing associate from Isaacson, Miller, the Washington, D.C.- based search firm hired to find Carother's replacement, hosted the forum.
Though search efforts kicked off in December, Mildner has been collecting input from different "constituencies," like the faculty, administration and fundraising committees to help narrow down candidates.
During the forum Mildner asked the two students present what qualities they'd like in their next president.
"We'd like to see the trend continue of having someone who listens to our concerns," junior Jacob Holzman said.
Holzman, an ocean engineering major, said someone with charisma would also be beneficial.
Jeffrey Borden, a fifth year engineering and French major agreed, "A nice charismatic leader ... I think, would be a good fit."
Both students agreed that with a budget deficit and dwindling support from the state, securing funds for the university would have to be a priority.
Borden suggested someone who had "more of a business background."
"Carothers, he came from a literary world and then moved up into the higher education realm," Borden said.
"We need someone who's going to go into Providence and go into the Statehouse and fight the battle smartly," Holzman said.
As the students spoke, Mildner recorded the conversation on her laptop. She told the students that it's important she's aware of the issues.
"If [a presidential candidate] asks me the issues on campus, I'd like to be able to give them a few bullets," Mildner said.
During the next month, Isaacson, Miller hopes to find about 20 candidates and narrow that group down to six or seven semi-finalists. Two or three finalists will then be presented to the university.
