What a week! Attending each of the forums, both of the interviews and having dinner with one of the candidates made for a busy week.
How good it was to see so many people at each of the forums! Faculty has been well represented at each campus forum and you have been asking good questions. With only an hour set aside for each forum, I'm sure there have been times when there were more questions than time allowed, but we have been able to have several important questions asked and answered (or in some cases not answered which is just as telling) and have been able to observe the first two candidates.
Thank you for your postings...I will "sort them out by candidate" so at the end of this week, you'll be able to see at a glance what has been said about each candidate.
Please keep in mind that it is the Board of Trustees that will make the selection. At each forum I have seen at least two Trustees and at the Pensacola forums there were five Trustees in attendance. It is important that the Trustees hear from you. Email and personal addresses for each Trustee can be found within the blog.
Now to this week: Dr. Elliott from Meridian (MS) Community College will be on campus today and tomorrow. Dr. Hafner from St. Pete will be on campus Wednesday and Thursday. Keep up the good showing on behalf of the faculty as we learn more about these candidates!
BE INFORMED. BE INVOLVED.
22 comments:
With our third candidate, it seems like the sound system and lighting system is finally on. It’s very bright. Dr. Cantor introduces Dr. Elliott giving a brief bio of the colleges he has been at. We are all quiet. He is interesting to listen to. Our minds wander down the paths he leads us jumping off the path here and there.
But back to what you want to know. Is anybody the front runner? I cannot tell. Why is it quiet? Is it because of the lights? Is it because your minds are made up already? Faculty is not saying much as they exit the building.
So you are only left with what lonely me is willing to pour onto this page. It seems to me that both Dr. Elliott and Dr. Meadows are capable, personable, highly thought of administrators. I think they are on equal footing as far as that goes. If I tick down the other qualities we want, I think Dr. Elliott might beat Dr. Meadows in one of the qualities. And Dr. Meadows might beat Dr. Elliott in another one of the qualities.
Dr. Elliott mentioned the bird in the hand situation where he cancelled other interviews when he had a bird in his hand, an offer from a college in Texas. I don’t know if the bird in the hand scenario works quite in his favor. The courting thing is mutual. The board of trustees might have a bird in their hands already Would you cancel interviews at a college nearer to your relatives? Man oh man, the interviewing process is surely stressful on some of the employees. It’s not something we would want to do if our affections were not returned.
Ciao
Interview fatigue has set in for me! (and I think for others, also) This is a lot to do in such a short time and to continue with the normal demands of life. That being said, Dr. Elliott is the real deal! His knowledge of the community college system both in and out of Florida is remarkable. He stated that the focus should be on educating the students and all other areas of the college are there to facilitate that function. I, of course, was pleased about how he emphasized faculty salaries at his current college and that they are now #2 in the state. His local research on our area was also impressive. Dr. Meadows is also a good candidate but for me Dr. Elliott is the front runner.
Dr. Elliott has a very diversified background to bring to the college. He has spent time in the Florida system as well as two others. He is in a position to bring to us the best of the Texas and Mississippi system.He has experience during revenue shortfalls which will certainly be needed here at PJC soon. He was wise enough in making his choices for cutting back the athletes programs yet not hurting their winning records. This tells me he knows how to manage the college's funds wisely. Dr. Elliott sounds like a keeper to me!
Sheran said copies of forum comments are kept in two places. We can read what people wrote on the comment sheets. I am interested in reading what's on those sheets.
The president position at PJC was announced last year. Dr. Elliott must have know about our position but did not apply then. I believe the headhunter for Manatee read his application there and coaxed him into applying at PJC. Would we be a change of face but not the ideal change in location he really wants?
http://www.polk.edu/News!/Prez_Interview_Sch.htm
Old December 2005 Story
Polk county is 35 west of Orlando BTW
I too think that PJC is not the ideal location for Elliot. Manatee is much closer to Citrus County (where his family is)
The Last One—Hoorah!
Dr. Hafner is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt. The pants match the jacket; and that is a beautiful thing when that happens. The presentation begins, pedal to the metal, I, we, when I am president, we, we, I, I am going to be president of PJC. The current event tidbits he says about what is going on in other parts of Florida are interesting to. The audience is smiling soaking it in. And I say, “As smooth as they come, brilliant, fantastico, more, more.”
We were not born yesterday. We are not Alice in Wonderland. We know not to drink the bottle marked “Drink Me” Dr. Hafner is holding up for us to swallow. He gives a good presentation though. Kudos for that.
Dr. Elliott has a daughter living in Florida, a son living in Mississippi--PJC might be a good half-way point for both. Dr. Elliot and Dr. Meadows are top candidates, maybe Elliott wins. He readily admits to touch times ahead. Was not impressed with Dr. Hafner.
I have a life-long friend (from first grade) who has taught at Meridian CC for over 30 years. I called him about Dr. Elliott. He could not make one negative comment about the man. Dr. Elliott told them he would stay 10 years and he has. He could stay another 10 years and faculty and staff there would be happy with him.
Gloria Gonzalez
Dr. Hafner is a great politician, perhaps that would benefit PJC at times, but for the most part -- he was a bit too slick for me. What is his teaching discipline? A coach or athletics I gathered for some reason.
What is his teaching discipline? A coach or athletics I gathered for some reason.
I am not sure. I think his B.A. is in speech. That would explain the fine tuned polish. The look and rhetoric is spot on for a presidential position at a college. We didn't get nauseated over all the wes because we have not had any experience that tell us that he is not a we. Faculty want to here a bunch of authentic we-s from their college president.
Imagine Dr. Elliott at Manatee next week when he is closer to home. He will want that big plum twice as much as he wants the position at PJC. The wes will be flowing like water. He'll wear a dark suit when he is suppose to. He'll come off there better than he did here.
After the spot on look and sound part, I left off the BUT OF COURSE look must match substance. There must be substance. I think the bottle is empty where Hafner is concerned.
Elliott said something like studies show that there is a an range when people are most productive and he is offering the best years of his life.
I guess the position could be a sacrifice to a person who didn't want to be here. But this is one of the best college administrator positions a person could have. It is very very interesting. "Let me look at my calendar to see what wonderful person I get to meet or neat thing I get to do today."
I know that he was being honest. That was his logic, a middle aged man logic (I have been a good person so what is everyone going to do for me now logic.)
The person who gets "the call" is going to know with every fiber that he has been truly blessed.
Drs. Elliott and Meadows both have the depth (substance) required. They are both well-seasoned and yet, progressive thinkers...their styles are different.
Hafner was all shiny and slick and talked of great plans with no idea of how to pay for those visions. I am reminded of a campaign politian who talked a good game but when in office, does not deliver just makes change for change sake. He seemed to hit a homerun or two with some of the Board members...others were more measured and less reactive (thankfully). The sense is that he would "push the envelope" and focus more on flash and glory for himself than on the educational needs of our community. His current job may be in jeopardy at St. Pete (rumors abound). So why is his current president not trying to keep him if he is the latest, greatest?
Here are comments obtained from the current VP for Academic and Student Affairs at St Pete College:
Lars is superb. He took over as provost of our largest campus from someone who was there for many years and was truly loved by everyone. Lars’ transition has been virtually seamless. He’s been in charge of several different areas at SPC (University Partnership Center, Athletics, numerous special projects, Provost) since I’ve known him and his leadership has always been excellent. Between his personal abilities and political connections (and I’ve watched him at work in Tallahassee), I think he could really benefit PJC.
Martyn R. Clay, Ed.D.
Associate Vice President
Academic & Student Affairs
St. Petersburg College
(727) 341-3344
(727) 341-3270 - fax
Forum Sheets
Copies of the forum sheets from the three campuses for Dr. Martin, Dr. Meadows, and Dr. Elliott are at the Warrington campus. Each pile is about an inch and a half thick.
DR. MARTIN
I am afraid reading that paperwork might cause me to lose sleep. I need my sleep. So I didn't read it.
DR. MEADOWS AND DR. ELLIOTT
The sheets for both were overwhelming positive emitting a warm and radiant glow. Out of each their big paper piles, there might be four or five people for each candidate that didn't like them. Those paper piles definitely going to give board members the warm fuzzies.
really thought we had two great candidates in Elliott and Meadows.
not sure on the "great pretender"... Hafner appears to offer something different...maybe too radical for our culture and not good timing for the budget cuts. Interesting outcomes
Is the BOT meeting on April 8 open to faculty who wish to observe?
I read somewhere that it is a special meeting. Special could mean closed. Perhaps someone will tell us.
The president at St. Petersburg college has been there 30 years? My oh my. It must be time for Hockaday paycheck collector. Whyyyyy is Dr. Hafner over here again?
Is the BOT meeting on April 8 open to faculty who wish to observe?
I asked someone. She said she didn't know for sure, but last time they were open. People watched. They asked Dr. Delaino and Dr. Smith to step out of the room when they did their counts. So we would know something right then and there.
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