Emporia State will be holding forums for the next two weeks to allow campus and community members the opportunity to meet each of the four provost finalists.
The first campus and community open forum will be from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 in Webb Hall of the Memorial Union.The other three forums will be held at the same times on Nov. 10, 14 and 17. They will also be in Webb Hall, except for the Nov. 17 one which will be in the Preston Family Room. A faculty senate forum, for all faculty, will follow immediately after in the Preston Family Room.
The names of the candidates will not be released until 24 to 48 hours before their respective forums out of respect for the candidates, according to interim provost and dean of The Teachers College Joan Brewer.
ESU has been searching for a new provost since the former provost, George Arasimowicz, resigned last February after only a year in the position.
At ESU, the provost also serves as the vice president of academic affairs and leads the “academic charge” at the university by working with deans and advocating for faculty and students, according to Brewer. The provost reviews and can propose revisions to current programs or new program areas, according to Brewer.
“(Provosts) pretty much touch on students’ lives whether or not they realize it,” said Abe Lemus, member of the search committee and senior political science major. “The provost is an active role at the university and it is important for students to have a say and participate in the (search) process.”
At the beginning of the forum, the candidate will have 15 minutes to introduce themselves. Brewer will have provided them with a prompt. The prompt is confidential in order to give each candidate the same amount of preparation time, according to Brewer.
After the candidate has introduced themself, there will be an open Q&A for the remaining time.
Brewer said students should look for someone who can “lead that (academic) charge” and who has good ideas and a vision for the university. The provost should also have “a clear understanding” of the future of higher education and who can “keep ESU sustainable moving into the future.”
“Keep in mind that this is the individual that is going to lead the academic mission of the university,” Brewer said.
Lemus said students should look for someone who will ensure that their academics will be held to the highest standard.
“It’s whether or not, ultimately, for the students they can see that provost on campus,”
Lemus said. “If they can build connections with the provost or if they can have an open conversation with the person.”
Students and attendees can prepare for the forums by coming up with questions such as how the candidate will see themself interacting with students and involving students in some decision-making processes, according to Brewer. Lemus suggested that students look up the candidates when their names are announced and look into their previous positions. It is up to the students how involved they want to be, according to Lemus.
“Regardless, I do recommend strongly to do your research on the candidates,” Lemus said. “And try to get a vision of that person before they come on campus.”
After the forum, participants will be given a QR code where they can submit their feedback.
“We would love feedback from all facets of campus,” Brewer said. “It helps us to make a better decision moving forward.”
The search firm Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) Search will then compile that feedback and give it back to the search committee.
AGB Search provides executive search and interim search services for higher education institutions, according to their website. This is the same firm that the Kansas Board of Regents used in the search for ESU’s president, according to Brewer.
Once ESU’s search committee receives the feedback, they will create a list of pros and cons and present it to University President Ken Hush. Hush will make the final decision on who the next provost will be. This is typical procedure, according to Brewer and director of media relations Gwen Larson.
“I know that (Hush) will take the feedback from the search committee and from campus very seriously,” Brewer said.
Hush was not available for an interview.
The new provost will hopefully be announced by Dec. 1, according to Brewer.
