Wiston Papers
How do you choose?
Today there is a story in our local
newspaper about one of the three finalists for Provost of Iowa State University.
He's the in-house candidate—A professor of engineering.
I have no dog in this fight as we say in my neck of the woods, but here's my problem.
Although it may be my failure, I have never attended any of these public forums without leaving with the impression that all the candidates say something akin to favoring "Motherhood and apple pie."
The candidate’s statements are a case in point. I knew nothing about him prior to his meeting with the ISU community despite his years on campus. But then I retired nearly ten years ago so have little need to stay abreast of university developments.
I have no dog in this fight as we say in my neck of the woods, but here's my problem.
Although it may be my failure, I have never attended any of these public forums without leaving with the impression that all the candidates say something akin to favoring "Motherhood and apple pie."
The candidate’s statements are a case in point. I knew nothing about him prior to his meeting with the ISU community despite his years on campus. But then I retired nearly ten years ago so have little need to stay abreast of university developments.
--He says he wants to "prioritize academic excellence"-- doesn't everyone?
--He's quoted as saying he wants to "encourage departmental collaboration"--ditto.
--And the article writes that he wants to
"Run a student-centered administration"--likewise.
One of the other candidates is speaking today as I write (no, I'm not texting or blogging from there), and I bet his comments will be similar.
So how do you make a choice? As an occasional student of human behavior, I suspect it often comes down to your gut feeling. Do you like the way he/she dresses, speaks, looks? All these, of course, have nothing to do with the candidates qualifications, but such impressions often sway our vote.
When the two finalist for the President of Iowa State University came to campus, they also said the usual positive things about higher education: first priority is undergraduate education, greater faculty involvement in decision-making, more administrative accountability and transparency. The list goes on; you get the idea.
For me the decision was simple. Who made me feel more comfortable? And he subsequently got the job.
One of the other candidates is speaking today as I write (no, I'm not texting or blogging from there), and I bet his comments will be similar.
So how do you make a choice? As an occasional student of human behavior, I suspect it often comes down to your gut feeling. Do you like the way he/she dresses, speaks, looks? All these, of course, have nothing to do with the candidates qualifications, but such impressions often sway our vote.
When the two finalist for the President of Iowa State University came to campus, they also said the usual positive things about higher education: first priority is undergraduate education, greater faculty involvement in decision-making, more administrative accountability and transparency. The list goes on; you get the idea.
For me the decision was simple. Who made me feel more comfortable? And he subsequently got the job.
I
suspect that will be the case with the new provost.
Steve Coon
April 24, 2012
Going through this right now. I'm chairing the search for Study Abroad director at BSU. One internal candidate, two external. They were brought to interview based on the strength of their resumes. The interview is just to see how we "feel" about them. Useful to think about our politicians this way. Are we choosing based on how we feel about them?
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting phenomenon and I think it explains a lot of human relationships and behavior.
DeleteGood luck on your search.
Thanks for your comment, Dom.