As the fall 2010 semester hits the halfway point, the quest for the new president of the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz is just heating up. The search committee just recently released the Position Prospectus and Position Advertisement, which finally allows people to send in their applications for the job. It is the latest step in a process that began in April, with former president Steven Poskanzer’s resignation.
The prospectus outlines what the search committee feels are the most important attributes the future president must have. They include being a strong decision-maker, being capable of open communication, and having a vested interest in continuing to attract a diverse student population. It is available for viewing here.
The Presidential Search Committee features members from all facets of the school community, including faculty, administration, alumni, and the Student Association. Each member of the 16-person committee, led by College Council Chair Kenneth J. Abt, had to be recommended for the job by a third party, as per SUNY guidelines for presidential searches.
The committee has also employed Academic Search, a consultant firm that specializes in helping colleges and universities find candidates for positions of power. Dr. Constantine “Deno” Curris has been working closely with the search committee to find suitable candidates to succeed Poskanzer. He held a series of forums at the beginning of September that gave the New Paltz community a chance to pose questions about the selection process, and give insight to the qualities they were looking for in a president.
The position advertisement states that, “optimal consideration will be accorded candidates whose materials are submitted by Friday, Nov. 12, 2010.” However, applications will be accepted up until the new president is selected next March.
Starting Nov. 17, the committee and Dr. Curris will begin reviewing applications and checking references, which will lead to narrowing down the candidate pool to eight or 10 people.
Former president Poskanzer served from 2001 to June 2010. He left to assume the presidency at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. Donald P. Christian, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, is serving as interim president.
Click here to see what students want in the next SUNY New Paltz President.
