University of Memphis Presidential Search: submit your candidate evaluations today!

The University of Memphis presidential search proceedings are well underway and continue to move quickly. The presidential candidates' visits to campus finished this morning. Now we have until 5:00 tomorrow, Wednesday March 26th, to fill out the online evaluation forms for the candidates:

http://www.memphis.edu/pressearch/

The 24 member presidential search committee, which included only four faculty and 2 staff, announced on Friday March 14th four finalists from a field of over seventy. Beginning last week these finalists held public forums and interviews on campus. If you were unable to attend the candidate forums, video is available online: http://www.memphis.edu/pressearch/. Candidate evaluations submitted by 5:00 tomorrow will be received by Chancellor John Morgan, who will review them before he selects the next president of the University of Memphis.

We are also keenly aware of serious concerns many colleagues have raised about the inclusion of current Provost David Rudd on the list of finalists. Over the last nine months Dr. Rudd has led the university toward sharply decreasing the funding for some academic departments, especially in the liberal arts, and the implementation of RCM for campus budgeting. Most strikingly have been the significant layoffs across campus, an extreme departure from past campus practice even during the recession.

The other three candidates are Sharon Gaber of University of Arkansas, Guy Bailey of University of Alabama, and George Hynd of the College of Charleston. All have experience with large institutional budgets and extensive professional and instructional records with top universities. It is important for us to be engaged in this process because the future president will determine University policies that are going to significantly impact our job security, work environment, and the quality of services we are able to deliver to our students. Please take a moment to review the candidates, and let your voice be heard today or tomorrow before 5:00 p.m.

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United Campus Workers is Tennessee’s higher education union; the only voice made up and run by staff and faculty at Tennessee’s colleges and universities. UCW members are active organizing for our interests on our campus and at the Tennessee General Assembly. JOIN US and help strengthen our movement! There is power in numbers, lift your voice today!