Search committee to hold open meeting in LC

Published on under McNeese / MSU Search

Panel charged with recommending president for McNeese

By Bobby Dower, American Press

Southwest Louisiana residents can have their say this week regarding the search for a new president for McNeese State University.

The University of Louis–iana System committee charged with recommending Dr. Robert Hebert’s successor will meet on McNeese’s campus on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

The public forum will be 1-2:30 p.m. in Stokes Auditor–ium in Hardtner Hall at the corner of Sale Road and Common Street on the McNeese campus.

The forum allows the search committee to hear thoughts on desired qualifications for a new president directly from faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members.

‘‘We would also encourage people to attend the meeting even if they don’t have any intention of speaking so they will be part of the process and learn how it’s going to play out,’’ said Candace Townsend, McNeese director of public information and communications.

Speakers will be limited to three minutes. Townsend said anyone who wants to make a comment should fill out a card prior to or during the meeting.

‘‘The purpose of the cards is to give organization and order to the forum,’’ she said.

People who fill out the cards will be called to a microphone and asked for their comment.

The forum will be videotaped and uploaded to YouTube, Townsend said.

Those who cannot attend can submit comments to the committee via email at mcneesepresidentialsearch @uls.state.la.us.

The search committee will meet prior to the forum at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Stoke Auditorium.

That meeting is also open to the public.

The agenda for both meetings is posted on a special search section of the UL System Web site,

www.ulsystem.edu/McNeese Search.

A limited number of parking places will be reserved for the public on the south side of Hardtner Hall beginning Tuesday morning.

The 13-member committee is comprised of University of Louisiana System Board Members Paul Aucoin, Elsie Burkhalter, E. Gerald Hebert, Renee Lapeyrolerie, Jimmy Long, Sr., Russell Mosely, Carl Shetler, Winfred Sibille, Student Board Member Steven Jackson and McNeese faculty representative Linda Larson. Nonvoting members are McNeese Student Govern–ment Association President Tim Rye and community representative Bob Davidson. UL System President Randy Moffett serves as the nonvoting chair.

Hebert, who has served as McNeese president for 23 years, announced last month his resignation, which will be effective June 30.