The University of Southern Mississippi and Alcorn State University will begin presidential searches this year using the same confidentiality rules that were used earlier this year to pick Mississippi State University’s president, Robert “Doc” Foglesong.
The State College Board will keep all candidates’ names confidential until one preferred candidate has been chosen by a board committee, advisory committee and Tom Meredith, state commissioner of higher education.
Annie S. Mitchell, director of media relations for Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, said the confidential process allows Mississippi institutions to hire the highest caliber professionals in higher education.
“The process is a transparent, representative-based process that works in accordance with today’s recruitment standards for high-level institutions of higher learning.” Mitchell said.
The College Board wishes to allow faculty, students, alumni and other groups from both universities to be involved in the selection process by allowing them to meet with the board’s search committee to give input on the job description and of the type of president their universities need.
Representatives from USM and Alcorn State’s different constituency groups will be involved in the interviewing processes for their candidates.
“The Search Advisory Committee, a group of about 20-25 individuals comprised of all campus constituency groups, is responsible for reviewing the applications and making recommendations to the Board for interviews,” Mitchell said. “Some members of the Search Advisory Committee are also invited to participate in the final interviews with the Board. The Board also encourages receiving feedback from the general public throughout the process.”
Malvin A. Williams, Sr., Alcorn State’s interim president, said he is unsure how the process will go for his university.
“We haven’t even met yet with all the groups and the committee. It may be premature to say how this process will be,” Williams said.
Despite the controversy caused by the selection process last year, the College Board maintains this is the best process to produce the most qualified candidates for higher learning institutions.
The confidentiality process is one used nationally to ensure qualified presidential candidates from other universities. These candidates may not apply otherwise for fear of repercussions for publicly seeking jobs elsewhere.
Faculty Senate President Robert Wolverton said he does not care for this selection process.
“It does not allow the many constituents who will be affected by the selection to see and converse with final candidates,” Wolverton said. “It is unfair to the candidates who do not get to know the many constituents with whom he/she will have to interact to be successful.”
USM’s board search committee is set to meet with campus constituency groups in early November to discuss the job description and presidential traits.
The selection process will continue for the new president to replace the current president Shelby Thames.
When Thames was chosen in 2002, many faculty disagreed with the decision. Thames’ contract ends this year, and he will return to his previous job as a polymer science professor for USM.
For more information about the presidential selection process for USM and Alcorn State go to http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/ieo_search/index.html.