President William R. Greiner announced in January that he would step down from his position as president of UB, effective on June 30, 2003. The University Council has been conducting an extensive search since March and has apparently narrowed down a field of applicants, but the university community is still in the dark.
Robert Wagner, President Greiner's senior counselor, cited the issue of confidentiality as the primary concern of the selection committee. Eligible candidates, he said, are likely to be currently serving in similar positions at other schools. Before they are given a job offer, these candidates may not wish to jeopardize their current jobs by announcing their consideration for UB president. Wagner speculates that students will not get the chance to meet and speak with potential candidates because of the need for confidentiality, and that visits by the candidates will not be highly publicized.
The Spectrum believes that the privacy needs of potential candidates should be weighed against the right of the university community to have a say in who will be its next president. The president of UB has broad power over virtually all aspects of the school, and The Spectrum believes the rights of UB faculty, students and staff to confront and question potential candidates outweighs the privacy concerns of candidates.
The selection committee has a broad range of members, including two student representatives, but since all members of the committee are sworn to a strict code of secrecy, it is impossible for them to have a dialogue with the people whose interests they are representing in the search for UB's next president. The UB community is left only to trust the judgment of these few committee members.
The Spectrum urges the selection committee to disclose the short list of potential candidates so there will be university-wide discourse on the school's next leader. It will mean the future for the community members; they have a right to be heard.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
