The University of Southern Maine is in a period of great change right now. I believe strongly that this year will be the year that decides how the university will continue to exist for the foreseeable future. The person to usher in this change will be the next university president as Theodora Kalikow’s contract expires this summer.

It is crucial that the search committee being formed consider all applicants and select the best candidate with great care and transparency. This search committee (and the decisions it makes) has the potential to make the greatest impact on the university that has been seen in many years.

I am writing in response to the editorial published June 29 (“Our View: Protesters should be part of USM president search”) saying that a member of #USMFuture should be on this search committee. I want to let the public know that there is a seat given to an undergraduate to be on this committee. This is the chance for students to have a definite say in who the next USM president will be.

The method for which this representative will be chosen is by vote of the USM Student Senate at our summer meeting on July 20 at 1 p.m. in Bailey Hall in Gorham, room 405. The Senate would require a cover letter/ statement of interest stating why the undergraduate would want to be on the committee and what qualities they would look for in a presidential candidate. This letter of interest can be sent to me at joshua.dodge@maine.edu by the deadline of 5 p.m. on July 17. The Senate will decide the representative and his/her proxy for the committee.

This position is open to every undergraduate no matter what their viewpoint, so we welcome everyone to apply.

Joshua Dodge

USM Student Senate Chair

Raymond

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