The search for SIU Carbondale's next chancellor is entering its final stage. Tuesday the first of four finalists visited campus. Acting provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs Susan Ford took part in a community forum. Ford has served the university for more than 30-years. Ford says the state's current budget issue is systematic of a larger problem. She says the value of higher education is lost on the average person and that has led to its defunding - especially for public universities. Ford says it will take the whole campus working together to prepare for the future. Ford says it will not be an easy process and that she is not afraid to tackle difficult tasks. She says SIU has to learn from history and be able to change, look to the future, and build on what is already here. Ford also says SIUC must work to help students finish their degrees in four years.
The three other finalist will visit the SIUC campus during the next two weeks. Oregon State University executive vice president and provost Sabah Randhawa will make the next visit on April 26 - 28. A campus forum will be held on April 27 at 8:45 am in the library's Guyon Auditorium.
Ohio University executive vice president and provost Pam Benoit will be on campus May 3-5. A public forum will take place on May 4 at 8:45 am in the Student Center Auditorium.
Texas Tech University senior vice president and provost Lawrence Schovanec will wrap up the campus visits on May 6-8. A public forum will take place on May 7 at 8:45 am in the library's Guyon Auditorium.