The governor's office repealed a decision last week to not interview student trustee finalists at the requests of a Student Senate commissioner and an Ohio University official.
Instead of interviewing the candidates, the governor's office planned to look at only the five finalists' applications. The senate's Student Trustee Selection Committee determined the finalists the first week of Spring Quarter using applications and interviews.
Student trustees act as non-voting influences, providing student perspectives to the OU Board of Trustees.
Kent Smith, vice president for Student Affairs, announced earlier this month at a senate meeting the governor's office original decision to not interview the finalists, but noted he did not know the reasons behind their decision.
As a former student trustee finalist, Chris Diehl said the interview was something the governor's office always did and so he contacted the director of the Boards and Commissions Office April 22.
I sort of expressed my concern about how difficult it is to choose someone to act in a professional setting such as the Board of Trustees
he said. They need to be able to articulate themselves in a professional manner present themselves as such and I felt that was really hard to gauge whether or not you can do that from just a paper application.
Chris Diehl, Academic Affairs commissioner, also contacted Teri Geiger, director of Government Relations, with his concerns. She delivered the finalists' applications to the governor's office and expressed Diehl's concerns at that time.
The decision to not interview the candidates was not planned, said Keith Dailey, press secretary to the governor. There were scheduling difficulties in the Boards and Commissions Office that postponed the process.
It's just a matter of time management
Dailey said.
Dailey said the office will interview the finalists in the near future but did not indicate whether scheduling problems with the Board of Commissions affected trustee finalists from other universities. Dailey wouldn't make anyone from the Boards and Commissions Office available.
Diehl said the man he spoke with at the governor's office said there were time restraints and that the finalists' applications were thorough enough to make a decision.
Senate planned to write a resolution if the office didn't change its decision after talking to Diehl and Geiger, he said.
Junior finalist Bryan Hoynacke ' who was also a finalist last year ' said he considered interviewing a universal process when it comes to applying for a job of that stature.
I think everyone was a little upset
Hoynacke said about the original decision, adding, Knowing who the five finalists are
I wouldn't be worried about any of us getting the position.
In addition to Hoynacke, sophomores Chauncey Jackson and Robert Leary and juniors Matt Denhart and Jay Simmons are finalists for the position.
The governor will select the new student trustee before the board meeting June 27, Diehl said.
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