The Board of Visitors Special Committee on the Nomination of a President met Sunday to review input from members of the University community.
Committee members delivered reports on the open forum, student, faculty and staff responses. The committee has received hundreds of responses during the last few months, said Leonard Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer.
He added that the presidential search Web site has received thousands of hits.
"More than any other time in the University's history, people know how we're going about the search," Sandridge said.
The roughly 200 people who attended the forums offered a "healthy mix" of thoughtful criticism and praise, Sandridge said.
Several of the forum's attendees commented about the University's fiscal resources. University community members raised concerns about the allocation of state resources, the economic downturn, the sustained recession and the transition from substantial state funding to a blend of state and private funding - all of which are potentially threatening the University's future.
"The College feels [like it is] under some terrific financial pressure right now," Faculty Senate Chair Ann Hamric said. "As a member of the College I do know that faculty in the College feel very desperate."
Student Council President John Nelson and other Council representatives met on two occasions with a committee of student organization leaders to gather student opinions about the qualities they sought in the next president.
Nelson said the students want a leader who is passionate about the University's core values and the student experience. Students also noted that it is important for the University to "continue to feel small as it grows and expands," Nelson said.
The committee should "seek someone who is excited to be a member of the University community," Nelson said.
Hamric, who met with a group of 51 faculty members to hear their views, also said the faculty feels very strongly that the next president must be a proven academic leader to maintain credibility and gain the trust of the institution's teachers.
Sandridge also met with the Executive Committee of the Employee Councils and found that employees want a president who will be visible and open to communication to students, staff and faculty, he said. He also noted that staff members want the next president to offer more spousal employment opportunities, increase diversity, support the green movement and develop and expand online learning to enhance global immersion opportunities.
Board of Visitors Rector John O. Wynne, who oversees the Special Committee, said he was pleased about the amount of input offered by a variety of University community members. Committee members will further discuss and analyze collected input in the weeks and months ahead, looking for candidates to later invite for interviews on Grounds.
"You couldn't help but come away being proud," he said.
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