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Students give input about search process

By JJ Ossola
IV Leader staff

    The Illinois Valley Community College’s presidential search is reportedly on schedule with a college profile and presidential prospectus in the final stages of completion.
    Interim President Charles Novak called together representatives from student groups on Nov. 9th to review the documents and comment or voice concerns. Novak also said that the material will be used in a brochure that will be sent to prospective candidates by Thanksgiving.
    Student government president Tiffany Leonard said, “It would be nice if we could get a president that was accessible to the students, someone that could greet you by name and was in the halls.”
    Other concerns voiced were that the candidate should put the needs of the student’s first, student parking, and that the candidate be familiar with rural communities.
    Novak said that the had a few more focus groups to conduct before the final draft of the profile and prospectus can be brought before the IVCC Board of Trustee’s for final approval.
    IVCC Board of Trustee’s member, Paula Endress said, “IVCC has tremendous strengths, in the breadth of its educational offerings and particularly in its excellent faculty, staff, and administrators. I believe because of these strengths, as well as others, that we will be an attractive institution for possible presidential candidates.”
    The college profile and prospectus is comprised of several sections detailing the college, the community, the faculty, campus technology, the board, and finances. It also lists characteristics and accreditations required of applicants.
    “They are more like guidelines. Like I told some other people, if Colin Powell came in to interview for the job, we wouldn’t turn him away because he doesn’t have the necessary degrees” Novak said.
    IVCC Board of Trustee’s Vice Chairperson, David Wilcoxson, said that the board is looking for a candidate that shows “a demonstrated understanding of and a commitment to the community college, its purposes and its students, has uncompromising integrity, openness, and honesty, is intelligent, objective, humane, and generous.”
    Endress added, “Above all, the president must remember that the college exists to serve its students. It is critical that the president must have proven success in fund raising and be committed to securing additional public and private funds. He or she must be adept at lobbying as well.”
    According to the second draft profile and prospectus, the financial situation of the college is profiled as “stable” but in regards to new revenue “the outlook for operating expenses is disappointing.”
    Wilcoxson said, “There is no huge pile of money waiting to be given to the clever grant writer’s institution, nor are huge private donations regularly given to community colleges.”
    Wilcoxson went on to add, “When times are good, we build a surplus. When times are not so good, we use some of the surplus. Times have been good, and we have added to our surplus, even in the last three years.”
    In the latest board meeting members agreed to allow Novak to enter into a contract with Dr. David Pierce to assist in the recruitment of candidates.
    Pierce is a President Emeritus of the American Association of Community Colleges after serving from ’92-’02 and from ’82 to ’92 served as president of the Illinois Community College Board. Pierce is from Normal, Ill and is very familiar with the IVCC community.
    IVCC Board of Trustee’s Chairperson, Deborah Sweeden said, “We are very fortunate to learn that he is interested in helping us.  After all, there are 7 community colleges searching for a president this year!”
    Wilcoxson said, “David Pierce will serve as the primary consultant and coordinator for the Board’s search for the new President. His role will carry through the entire selection process, from identifying and recruiting qualified candidates, assisting the Search Advisory Committee in identifying 7-10 semi-finalists, assisting the Board of Trustees in identifying 3-5 finalists, and finally assisting in reviewing references and credentials of the finalists.”
 

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