The search for a new Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs has been narrowed down to four finalists who have been meeting with students as a part of their interview process.
“The students involved in the process are usually student leaders, upperclassmen, students who have a little bit of knowledge of Fairfield University,” said Dr. Thomas Pellegrino, vice president for student affairs.
Junior Resident Assistant Sergena Laine, one of approximately 12 students who has met with candidates, said, “Student involvement in the process is a good thing, [and] these candidates get a representation of the various students who make the university what it is.”
Two of four informal receptions have taken place, and involving students in the process “brings a unique perspective on a conversation with the candidates,” Pellegrino explained. “On the flip side, the candidates will want to engage the students where they’re at … [because] this is also a decision making process for all the candidates.”
The new Provost will be succeeding current Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Rev. Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., who will be ending his term at the end of this academic year.
Professor of Politics Dr. Marcie Patton, said student participation is vital because “students have a stake in the academic mission of the University.”
According to Dr. Mark Reed ‘96, senior vice president for administration and chief of staff, “student input is taken seriously … it won’t necessarily outweigh the input of others, but it is valued and often quiet insightful.”
Pellegrino explained that the search process involved using a search firm, which generated a pool of candidates who are interviewed by a search committee of 12 people consisting of faculty, administrators and a student representative.
In terms of who decides on the new Provost, Reed stated that President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., “has the final say.” The search committee usually presents three candidates to von Arx, along with each candidates’ strengths and weaknesses, but “the president is ultimately responsible for choosing the senior leaders of the University and members of his administrative team.”
Regarding who will succeed Fitzgerald, Patton hopes “for someone with a strong sense of purpose but not bull-headed,” someone “who will appreciate what a terrific faculty we have at Fairfield,” and someone who will insist on “a reallocation of university resources such that there is greater support and investment in valuing what faculty do and in maintaining faculty excellence.”
Students felt positive that their involvement in the search process made it more effective.
“It’s a great process and there’s been a large student presence forming from what I hear,” said RA Sohail Sumra ’15. “I really hope that this new VP is very much involved and engaged with students. Father Fitzgerald was really well known on campus, and I want someone to emulate that.”
Junior Christina Barry, FUSA president for the class of 2015, said that student contribution in the search for the new VP of Academic Affairs is important because “that person has a position that directly affects students.”
However, student involvement in the process should not be limited, Barry said.
While students in leadership roles that are part of the search process are representatives of Fairfield, “this shouldn’t be something upon privilege, it should be a right for all students to know,” she added.
“It’s fantastic that students are more involved … and it makes students feel like they matter,” said Artemisa Ngjela ’15. “But everybody that attends the school needs to have their opinion included, otherwise it’s not equal.”
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