COMMENTS FROM THE WEDNESDAY HEARING HOSTED ON THE MILTON CAMPUS

This session was also chaired by Mr. Vincent Andry, president of the PJC Board of Trustees.

Here are the comments from the Milton hearing.

The new president of PJC must/should:

• understand that PJC has 3 full service campuses and each campus needs to be fully funded.
• have a commitment to technology in the classroom. Needs to look forward to cutting edge classroom technology.
• be very energetic. Ready to go. Have a focus on academics.
• make decisions that are driven by data. Be able to use data effectively. Be able to plan effectively.
• have a commitment to recruitment. Push for better salaries.
• network in the community. Locate and develop alternate money supplies. Develop relationships with business, local, state and federal governments.
• better manage the recruitment process. Good candidates are already employed by the time PJC starts searching for new faculty.
• improve recognition of adjunct faculty. Work for retention of adjunct faculty. Develop relationships with adjunct faculty.
• care as much for career service employees as faculty. Support across the board raises.
• be willing to set the tone by having a a simple inauguration rather than an extravagant event.

The questions from the Milton participants were broad in scope.

Mr. Vince Andry, Chairman of the PJC Board of Trustees, answered questions such as: (the answers are my paraphrasing of his response)

How are the Board of Trustees chosen?
The BOT is appointed by the Governor. Mrs. Usury, a trustee, also commented on the detailed application that each person interested in serving as a trustee must submit in order to be considered.

Is there any expectation of the length of service for a new president?
There is the hope that the new president will lead PJC for a number of years. Of course, there is no way to force someone to stay in a position and the BOT also has the responsibility to evaluate the president regularly to determine if the president is performing the job effectively. The president will be judged on his/her success.

How many students are involved in the process?
3 - one representing each campus SGA.

What is the measurement for all the listed minimum and desired qualifications?
Please see my (Charlotte) answer to a very similar question about "significant leadership" at Monday's session.

How do you look deeper than the paper case?
Once the Screening Committee has reviewed the applications and made its recommendation of 4 - 8 candidates to the BOT, criminal and financial background checks will be conducted. Personal references will be checked. There has been discussion at the BOT meetings about whether a psychological screening should be conducted.