Trustees need to communicate with the rest of campus

Rowan’s Board of Trustees recently tasked the University Senate to submit seven names to be part of the search committee to find a new president.

University Senate President Dr. Eric Milou asked the board to be more specific about the type of person they were looking for to be on the search committee. The trustees sent a message through their liaison, Dr. Christy Faison, telling the senate that they are looking for people that are knowledgeable and passionate about the university.

Obviously, in the search for the next president, that is not enough criteria for the search team. So Milou and the Senate passed a resolution with their own criteria, and rightfully so. In addition, Milou invited the trustees to come speak in front of the senate at the next meeting, but said he received no response.

There is a giant lapse in communication between the leaders of the university, which has the potential to be detrimental to the process of finding our next president. If the leaders of Rowan can’t stay on the same page, we’re all in trouble.

We applaud Milou for realizing the gravity of what the senate was asked to do, but it is unnerving to see that the trustees are unable to provide clear and specific criteria on what they are looking for in a search committee candidate.

Whoever is chosen to be Rowan’s next President will have the power to shape the future of the university. The students understand this, the University Senate understands this; it is time for the trustees to get on board and join the discussion.