The PANANOLE News: FSU-Panama Student E-Zine

Last Tuesday, February 3, Phillip Denis, President of the FSU-Panama Student Council, was designated the new official member of the Search Committee, thanks to the Student Government, who appointed him to be our representative. As you may know, the Search Committee is integrated by members of the Board of Directors, along with faculty and staff of FSU-Panama and FSU-Tallahassee.

Denis states that he is pleased with this decision, because he feels that now the students will play a bigger role in the selection of our new rector. In our meeting, we discussed several issues related to this topic.

Photo by Elysia Beech
     Denis informed us that, on February 5th, all the members of the Search Committee - here in Panama and in Tallahassee - got together, each team on its respective location, to review the candidates’ resumes, and start the selection of candidates. He told us that many applicants have participated, sending their resumes from all over the world. The idea is to narrow down the search to obtain only the most capable and most competent contestants, to then start the final election.

     When the Search Committee narrows the field, they will proceed to invite the final contestants to come to the country and visit FSU-Panama, first to interview them, and then for them to have a day of interaction with the student body, the staff, the faculty, and administrators. However, Denis has told us that the basic qualifications that every candidate must have are: a) a strong academical background, b) completion of higher education, up to PhD or equivalent, and c) former experience in university administration.

     Along with this, the candidate must demonstrate why he or she would be good for the position. Since the selected person will have the important position of Resident Director, the Search Committee is being really meticulous in selecting the finalists. Also, Philip Denis clarified that a specific salary hasn’t been discussed; when the winner is selected, a competitive salary will be established.

     Denis also has clarified the biggest doubt of all: why the need for confidentiality in the whole process? He told us that this measure is taken in order for the participants not to jeopardize any actual jobs or positions they may be holding.

     We asked Denis about the election process by which the Search Committee was grouped; he told us that he was selected because he made continuous requests to have a student representative on the Committee, but he is not sure how the other members of the Committee were selected.

     We also asked Denis if there was any regulation about candidates who may be related to any of the Committee members. He answered that there should be no ties whatsoever, and he completely trusts that the rest of the Committee is respecting this issue. (In a recent SGA meeting Denis praised the Committee, saying that the atmosphere was warm but professional, that communication was good, and that he was honored to be part of the process: "two thumbs up" from Denis. He then urged all students to let him know what questions they would like him to ask. What should the role of our next Rector be? Do we need someone who is around on campus all the time, mixing with students? Or someone who is traveling abroad, recruiting and fund-raising? "I am here to represent you," said Philly, "But I can only represent you if you let me know what you think.")

     There will be a Breakfast Meeting of the Searching Committee on February 18, to discuss issues related to the selection. Denis stated that the Committee wishes to find our new Rector soon, and so, this whole process won’t last longer than two months. In fact, don’t be surprised if by the end of this month, we already have the man or woman who will be in charge of this, our university.

The author wishes to thank Phillip Denis and Angelica Wong for all the provided information.
Additional material (in parentheses): Pananole Staff.

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