The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
EMU holds first presidential search forum
Public forums represent final step of search process
By Christine Laughren, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
Eastern Michigan University's four presidential candidates are going through the last phase of the selection process this week before the Board of Regents makes its final determination.
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Throughout the week the candidates have had meetings with EMU administrators, union representatives, students, faculty and staff as well as community members.
Michael Flanagan, superintendent of public instruction for the state of Michigan, was first to participate in the forums, which started Tuesday.
Kenneth Burnley, senior resident fellow and director of the Education Leadership Center of the School of Education at the University of Michigan was on campus Wednesday.
Don Shelton, 22nd Circuit Court judge for Washtenaw County Trial Court will be on campus today and Susan Martin, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs for University of Michigan - Dearborn is scheduled to be on campus Friday.
Flanagan said he felt energized after more than seven hours of talking and answering questions for the various groups.
"I do feel like I'm repeating myself because I am repeating myself," he joked.
Because of his unique relationship with Lansing Flanagan said he would be coming to the university at the right time if he were hired as president.
"I do believe one of the things I can help you with right away is state funding," he said. "We need to get our fair share."
Flanagan addressed several members of the community, including Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber, who asked him what he would do to partner with the city.
Flanagan said there are several ways a university can mesh with the community.
As an example, he said there is no reason for districts in the area to fall behind in standardized testing when Eastern has such a big College of Education.
Co-chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee James Stapleton said the forum process is an important piece to making a selection.
Paul Czamanske, president and CEO of Cunpass Group, a search firm, hired to aid the university said he thought the final four candidates would all do a great job as president of EMU.
And he also said the community forums wrapping up at the end of this week would be a major factor in deciding who gets the position.
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