State budget problems hampering search for Grambling president

http://louisianaradionetwork.com/blogs/Grambling-search-hampered#.VOJhty5kSxh
The state’s budget woes are causing difficulties in the search for a new president for Grambling State University. Possible job applicants are apparently worried about the state’s potential budget cuts to higher education.

University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley says they received a letter from The Hollis Group, the search firm hired to recruit candidates, expressing the concerns.

“They have a good pool of candidates who are not interested in their names being made public until there’s a little bit more certainty about what solutions may emerge in the legislature.”

With the legislative session beginning in April, Woodley says the original timeline to name a president will have to be pushed back. She understands the concerns of the candidates because these potential cuts are much bigger than a normal cut.

The scenarios range from a 40% to a 60% cut to Grambling’s state funds. And cuts of that magnitude are much more severe than just a situation where you have to worry about closing a few programs.”

Woodley says they originally intended to introduce the new president in April. The search committee will meet with The Hollis Group later this month to discuss changing the timeline for finding a new president. Woodley doesn’t believe the search will be delayed for long.

“We should have an answer later in the spring and be able to, potentially, make the decision and still get the president in place for the fall. That would be our goal.”