The UND Presidential Search Committee did not draw large crowds Tuesday for its first round of forums to discuss the recruiting profile for the school's next president, who will replace President Charles Kupchella in July 2008.
The committee's chairman, UND School of Law Dean Paul LeBel, credited the low turnout to the meetings being held just after Labor Day. He said he expects turnout to increase during remaining public forums before the committee passes a final draft of the profile to the State Board of Higher Education on Sept. 17.
"We're in the process of building credibility as a committee," LeBel said. "The more we're seen in public soliciting input, the more likely we are to get input and the more likely people are to attend."
Tuesday's first forum, scheduled for faculty, drew about six audience members, with an equal number showing up later in the day for a forum with university staff. As of about 6:40 p.m., no audience members had arrived for a 6:30 p.m. forum with Grand Forks community members.
The 13 remaining public forums include more opportunities for faculty, staff and the Grand Forks community to comment on the profile, as well as forums designed for students, the communities of Fargo and Bismarck and Grand Forks' American Indian community.
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A schedule of all forums and a copy of the draft profile are available at www.und.edu/presidentialsearch/ .
Marks reports on higher education. Reach him at (701) 780-1105, (800) 477-6572, ext. 105, or jmarks@gfherald.com .
