Spring Break
Council jumps into search for president
Search committee holds one-time open forum for student input
Issue date: 4/24/08
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."
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."
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