News

Panel announces presidential criteria

By Maeghan Naimie

Posted on Jan. 18, 2005, at 12:00 a.m.

The search for a University of Maine president goes on. The resignation of President Peter Hoff, after seven years at the University, caused a vacuum in power on campus. Robert Kennedy, a vice president since 2000, currently serves as interim president. Kennedy will only remain interim president for one year. The pace quickens as time to find a new president runs out.

A March 1 deadline was set for the selection of at least three finalists in the application process by the University of Maine System Chancellor Joseph Westphal. The effort is being aided by ATKearney, a firm of Washington DC.

“The goal is to have a new president in place for fall 2005. We are racing to meet a very aggressive deadline,” said Monisha Lozier, a senior consultant at the firm.

UMaine Today Online put up an advertisement for the position on its website. It provides background information about the university and its goals, community, academics, sports and faculty. There are also two sections pertaining to candidates’ professional and personal character requirements.

Presidential candidates are expected to have a doctorate or terminal professional degree along with strong academic credentials. Also important is their ability to fund raise and be a spokesperson for the university. Characteristics from a sense of humor to the ability to delegate are also important. These requirements help to narrow the applicant pool. Candidate reviews will be posted in February.

Ross Bartlett, the lone student on the presidential search committee, said that the search would prove to be successful.

“It’s going well and progress is continuing. I expect the candidate chosen to serve the university in a productive capacity,” Bartlett said.

Campus Currents: Robert Kennedy