INTERIM PRESIDENT IS PROVEN LEADER FOR THE UNIVERSITY

With last week's announcement of an interim president, Southeast Missouri State University appears to be in firm hands for as long as it takes to choose a new president to succeed Dr. Kala Stroup.

Dr. Bill L. Atchley brings impressive academic credentials the interim post. He has been president of both Clemson University and the University of the Pacific. In addition, the Cape Girardeau native has close ties to the area. His mother and a brother reside in Sikeston, and Atchley and his wife own a farm in Southeast Missouri.

Atchley has many friends in this area, most of whom are ardent supporters both of his abilities and his no-nonsense style. In an informal visit just before his appointment was announced, he met with editors of the Southeast Missourian and made it clear he takes the responsibility seriously and intends to do more than baby-sit the university while the search for a new president continues. This process could take a year or more.

The search process is likely to be guided by a Washington, D.C.-based firm called Academic Search Consultation Service. A representative of the firm met with regents and others to learn about the school and its people. The regents are negotiating a contract with the firm to advise the regents and a soon-to-be-named search committee during the selection process.

While the firm appears to be giving commonsense advice, there is some question about how necessary it is. After all, the university went through this process when it hired Stroup five years ago, and almost every faculty member and administrator have been involved in the selection of a new president either at Southeast or another school. An interesting parallel is the search for a new city manager for Cape Girardeau, which is in the finalist-interview stage. This nationwide search has been handled by the city council and staff members, and the caliber of the finalists seems to be exceptional.

It is also curious that only one firm was considered by the university regents. It would seem only prudent that, before signing a contract with anyone for so important a service, the regents might want to hear from other firms that help facilitate searches for key management positions.

Typically, university search committees include members who are intimately familiar with selecting a president. These committees tend to be almost exclusively made up of faculty members and other university administrators. One suggestion: Include representatives of the community and the students on the search committee. This insight and feedback could prove invaluable.