The Student Council voiced its concerns to the Presidential Search Committee at an open forum on Monday, pressing its members to seek a candidate that would both lead Hopkins through the 21st century and address the concerns of the student body.
These concerns follow the seven-member committee's controversial decision not to include a member of the Council on the committee. While much of the meeting stayed away from this issue, Council president Scott Bierbryer called the meeting "an opportunity to move forward."
But others are still displeased by the committee's decision to not include a member of the Council on the Selection Committee.
"The members of the search committee were very open to student input and I believe the search is definitely in good hands," freshman class president Dan Teran. "However, we still hold that we would have liked to have seen SGA [Student Government Association] representation on the Committee."
Many on the Council believe that the committee purposely did not choose a member of the Council and instead went for a student who would be less vocal during the selection process.
"I don't think it was a member of this committee that made that ruling, but I think it was definitely handed down that it wasn't a good idea to have students on their [Selection Committee] who would push for student interests because it would be easier that way," Teran said.
The meeting, though open to the general student body, was attended by only 40 students, 20 of whom were members of the Council. According to the Council and the Presidential Selection Committee, e-mails were sent out informing students of the event.
"If we look at any event Hopkins hosts, the turnout is low," said Andrew Gerba, council vice president for activities. "Whether this is indicative of the students we accept or the attitude that is bred on campus, this is how it is. The people who are here are those who are vocal and who have a strong pulse on what goes on here at Hopkins."
Despite low attendance, the lengthy, mostly one-sided discussion, gave students a forum to express their concerns about the Committee's selection process and criteria. Tony Coles, CEO of Onyx Pharmaceuticals and Gail McGovern, president of the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C., moderated the discussion. Both were graduates of the School of Arts and Sciences. The other committee members present remained mostly silent throughout the meeting.
Issues discussed included Hopkins's rising tuition, the growing disconnect between administration and students, Hopkins's endeavors in sustainability and the institution's role in both local and global communities.
According to the committee, the rising price of tuition and the structure of Hopkin's financial aid services were both issues that the Committee is taking seriously and the subject will be taken into consideration when selecting a new president.
"I don't know if this is going to give you any comfort or not, but when we had our kick-off meeting of the search committee today, that [tuition and financial aid] was one of the biggest items we identified as well," McGovern said.
As the committee members search for a president who will lead Hopkins in the new global economy, they offered their visions of the University for the future.
"As the world changes, I think it will be important to have someone with an external perspective. We need to press for innovation in thought, innovation in science," Coles said.
"Hopkins has a unique responsibility to take those breakthroughs and move them from the developed countries to the developing countries," McGovern said. "We also need to rethink the way we raise money for the school because I think financial aid is going to become more and more important. Our peer institutions are ahead of us in this area and I think we are going to lose the best and brightest students."
Students also called for a change in the basic attitude of the administration towards the management of the University.
"As president, we would like someone who can think outside the bottom line," Teran said. "We do understand that [Hopkins] is very much a business being run but there are places where it may make sense to, perhaps, reduce profits. The value added to the institution can, in the end, outweigh the costs."
During the meeting, the committee mentioned the secrecy of its proceedings. It has released no timeline or criteria for the selection. Most meetings of the committee will be closed to the public, according to Coles. The committee members gave no indication whether more public forums will be held for discussion on the selection process.
"I don't think we can say that this is going to be our only meeting," Coles said. "Hopkins has a broad constituency across the campus. If we see the need, we will reach out to the community again, I am sure. So, I wouldn't call this the only opportunity to speak on this topic."
But during the selection process, committee members will be required to maintain full confidentiality about the proceedings.
"We can't attract the kind of candidates we want because people are concerned about their goals of positions. We don't want to jeopardize the process," said Julie Morgan, assistant secretary of the Board of Trustees. "Our chair [Pamela P. Flaherty] laid down these strict guidelines. No conversation with the media can occur."
The Council remains split on the growing secrecy of the selection process.
"That's pretty standard," sophomore senator Evan Lazerowitz said. "I don't know any school that would allow that. I think that is fine. However, I think there is a need for more undergraduates on the board, such as a member from the SGA."
"I understand [secrecy] because they don't want to misrepresent what is going on but I think keeping the meetings secret from students is regrettable," senior senator Zachary Moor said.
However, despite issues with member selection, many SGA believe the meeting was successful.
"It showed good faith on behalf of the search committee itself by the fact that they made time to talk," senior senator Zachary Moore said. "However, I am disappointed by the fact that the search committee did not include a member from the [SGA] on the selection board."
Moore said he did not believe further meetings will be held.
While the committee, at the moment, has made no announcements of potential candidates for the Office of the President, students, faculty and alumni have made over 100 suggestions to the committee.
The committee has also made no indication whether or not it will actively try to hire a woman or a minority for the position.
"What I have come to, and this is a revolutionary thought for me, is that we first need to work beyond the symbolism of obvious differences, like gender and race, and really look for diversity in thought," Coles said.
The most notable of the suggested candidates is Michael Bloomberg, Hopkins alum and current mayor of New York City. Nearly 40 professors have signed a letter urging the selection committee to consider Bloomberg, citing his past work as chairman of the board of trustees and leader in a major capital campaign as indicative of his capability.
"You can't believe how many people have suggested that," Coles said. "Whether he will consider the job or not, I think that is a decision Mr. Bloomberg will have to make."
