UW-Madison students, faculty, alumni and Madison community members voiced opinions, concerns and suggestions for the next UW-Madison chancellor to a panel of representatives from the Chancellor Search and Screen Committee Tuesday.
The session was the second in a series of public forums designed to elicit campus and community perspectives on the necessary qualifications for Chancellor John Wiley's successor.
Wiley announced in December 2007 his intent to step down as UW-Madison's chancellor by the start of the 2008 fall semester.
Marsha Mailick Seltzer, chair of the search committee and a UW-Madison professor, said she was happy with the diverse turnout.
Our goal is to listen to many perspectives, and we are pleased with how many people decided to contribute,"" Seltzer said. ""There was bad weather the day of the first forum, so we were hoping attendance would be much higher this time around.""
One of the main concerns vocalized at the panel was ethical research tactics in UW-Madison research labs. Three speakers expressed the need for a chancellor who was willing to not only address self interest, but public interest as well.
""Most of the students and citizens of Madison are completely unaware that these labs exist, much less what is going on inside them,"" Annalisa Emerson, a UW-Madison alumnus and local teacher, said. ""We need a chancellor who will lead with moral courage.""
Students spoke on topics that ranged from international relations to local student and community needs.
Almost every speaker mentioned the need for a chancellor who was capable of progressing the Wisconsin Idea, an idea that the university's boundaries do not end with the state, but expand around the globe.
Lauren Crane, a UW-Madison sophomore and Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group member, expressed the need for two-way communication between the chancellor and students.
""We need someone who is willing to work with the students and foster leadership. Someone who is willing to be committed to the Wisconsin Idea and give students more of a voice,"" she said.
The committee hopes to have the process completed before finals take place in May and have the new chancellor publicly named by June 6.
""Some of the viewpoints expressed today have already been discussed by the committee, but all of the opinions and concerns will aid us in making a decision,"" Seltzer said.
The next forum will take place on March 6 in the Dag Hammarskjold room at Union South from 4 to 5:45 p.m. Committee members will again be on hand to gather feedback from participants.
Individuals are also welcomed to submit nominations for the position and any qualities necessary in a chancellor by e-mail to chancellorsearch@bascom.wisc.edu.
