The University of Tennessee Presidential Search


The public needs to take an active role in the search for the next UT President.

In the last five years a large amount of Tennessee tax payer dollars have been expended on searching for and paying two University of Tennessee presidents. Now we are searching for a third person to fill that role, and we can't afford to waste any more money.

Governor Bredesen has made it clear that this process will be a fully public one, but that alone won't be enough. UT alumni, such as myself, and other concerned citizens have to actually be engaged in the process. Certainly not full time, but when the amount of tax payer dollars wasted (counting searches and salaries paid to presidents who weren't able to fulfill their potential) is at risk of exceeding six figures we have to be concerned.

This lesson seems clear to the Trustees. At the meetings I have attended recently they, including Governor Bredesen who by virtue of his position serves as chair of the board, have become very engaged in the process. This is certainly very important, but alone won't be enough.

The chair of the search committee, trustee Andrea J. Loughry, promised on Friday that there would be a Presidential Search web site that would update the status of the search, and allow people to give their feedback. This is an excellent step. But in order to be meaningful, there has to be thoughtful input, and that input has to actually be incorporated in the search.

I'm confident that the Trustees, and other members of the Search, and Search Advisory Council, will welcome this input so I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage my fellow alumni and citizens to take advantage of this opportunity. UT is one of our state's most important assets and has certainly enriched our lives. Being involved in this process is at least as important as financial contributions, maybe more so, and is the least we can do.

Posted: Mon - October 13, 2003 at 01:34 AM      

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