Students offer suggestions to aid in search for new university president

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.

Mildner's firm recruits clients by advertising available positions in higher education publications. Some candidates submit applications and faculty members may nominate others. In addition, the firm uses an "active networking" approach to lure qualified professionals from their current positions.

"We see if you can be tempted," Mildner said with a laugh.

As the firm collects more data from focus groups conducted throughout campus, it narrows the search down.

It anticipates selecting the semi-finalists by the end of March.

Mildner asked the two students present to imagine themselves three to five years from now. To gauge what matters most to students, she asked what made the experience successful.

Borden, said he likes URI's leadership program, and the ability to minor in it.

"I think a good [presidential] candidate would have to continue that," he said.

When asked what he felt needed to change, Borden said he would like to see a less expensive way of obtaining textbooks.

Mildner joked about how when she was in college, the bookstore refunded her enough to drive home.

"If you do it today, you're lucky to get a gallon for that," Borden said. Some courses require several books for their class. "You're looking at an extra grand in a semester.

I would love to see higher education adopt some type of digital textbooks," he said.

He would like the next president to join a national effort to reduce the costs of books.

Next, Mildred asked what should not change.

"I know that President Carothers started the Centennial Scholarships," Borden said, and he hopes that will continue.

Despite some controversy among the students, Borden also said he agrees with the dry campus policy Carothers instituted, adding that it has successfully changed URI's former reputation of being a party school, to that of a respectable institution.

"You can't mess around with a reputation like that," Mildner added.

She continued to stimulate discussion.

"Candidates ask me, 'Why should I come?'" Mildner then asked the students why they chose the university.

Both said that they were attracted to the university's engineering programs. Holzman, who transferred from the United States Coast Guard Academy, said URI's ocean engineering program aligns with his career goals for the future.

"There are so many things that can be fixed by improved funding," Holzman said.

As the discussion of budget issues ensued, the students mentioned how eventually the university might have to rely exclusively on private funding.,

Mildner asked, "What do you think the implications will be like if this trend continues?"

Borden said, "Diversity on campus will go down."

Mildner asked what the students felt diversity on campus was like. They agreed diversity in the faculty was strong, but not as much in the student population.

During a discussion about what can be improved on campus, Borden and Holzman agreed the next president should work to ensure more programming for students, a more comprehensive information network, and an armed police force.

Mildner continued to record the conversations.

"I want everyone to get all the information they need on both sides," she said. "I don't want anyone surprised.