THE WATAUGA DEMOCRAT 2.19.2014

ASU trustees submit two chancellor finalists
by Anna Oakes

The decision on Appalachian State University's next leader now lies with University of North Carolina system President Tom Ross.

Appalachian State University Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Steinback confirmed that the trustees voted unanimously earlier this month to forward two candidates to Ross for his consideration.

"We are very pleased with the search committee's activity and quality of work and very hopeful that we have identified high-quality candidates for our next chancellor," said Steinback.

The Chancellor Search Committee, also chaired by Steinback, formed in August and was directed to submit at least three finalists to Ross in no order of preference.

The search committee voted unanimously Jan. 31 to select three finalists, but between that time and the meeting of the Board of Trustees a few days later, one of the candidates accepted a position at another institution, Steinback said.

"It's a very, very competitive landscape out there," he added.

Steinback said the search committee's work is over unless it receives additional direction from Ross or the UNC system Board of Governors. He said Ross has not been specific about how long he expects to contemplate his decision but that he typically takes two to three weeks for hiring decisions.

"We would certainly expect that (decision) sometime during the middle of (March)," said Steinback.

The UNC Board of Governors is scheduled to meet Friday, but UNC General Administration spokeswoman Joni Worthington said Ross is not expected to make a chancellor announcement at that time.

"It's a very, very competitive landscape out there," he added.

Usually means "we didn't really have the quality of candidates we were hoping for."

Luckily sometimes some of the least qualified "on paper" candidates turn out a lot better than expected. I think the last one might be an example of that.

Maddog1956 wrote:"It's a very, very competitive landscape out there," he added.

Usually means "we didn't really have the quality of candidates we were hoping for."

Luckily sometimes some of the least qualified "on paper" candidates turn out a lot better than expected. I think the last one might be an example of that.

That could also mean that salary expectations of candidates exceeded our budget for that position. I hope we get someone with the kind of passion and business sense displayed by Chancellor Peacock.

I hope we can finally get someone who knows how to get our fair share out of Raleigh.

Athletics-friendy is PARAMOUNT.

And I agree with Cline that the disproportionate endowment App receives must be addressed.

Gonzo wrote:Athletics-friendy is PARAMOUNT.

And I agree with Cline that the disproportionate endowment App receives must be addressed.

But...But...But...We're just this little ol' hick/hillbilly mountain school with nothing but hippies/dopers. Certainly never to be spoken in the same breath as Little c or the eastern schools. And forget that pesky applications/openings ratio. Those numbers don't mean anything.

I agree with both statements Gonz. Hopefully we've put forth two people who will fight hard and not bow down and kiss the feet of the "great ones" down east.