Yes, she made the decision to make a change but Padilla made the final decision to become Beacons! A very good choice indeed!
So in late January, I posted a possible timeline of key things that would have to happen to have a new President in place by the start of the Fall semester. (The full post is here https://www.valpofanzone.com/community/postid/5243/ ) The first two of those items were as follows:
1) The Board identifies a search firm, and the search profile document is created. The Board creates the search committee. Earliest possible date is March 1, it could be completed on or about April 1.
2) The position is advertised and applications are received. This could start as soon as the profile is available, yet probably looking at a minimum of 45 days after the position is posted to complete applications. So, the deadline would be April 15 at the earliest, June 1 is probably likely.
I went back and re-read the university announcement, which said, "The search is anticipated to kick off in April 2025 and regular updates will be provided."
So here we are on April 1, and so far there has been no update from VU; the search could begin later in April and still meet the announced kick off. If this happens soon, it still could have a a June 1 application deadline, though that is in some jeopardy, as are the timing of Zoom and on-campus interviews. Perhaps, this is strategic timing by the Board - if they wait until the semester is over, campus visits will have far less interaction with students, and probably less interaction with faculty. Note as well if there is an internal candidate, the timing could be substantially compressed.
The bottom line is that to have a new president in place by the start of the Fall, quite a bit has to happen in a short time.
So here we are on April 1, and so far there has been no update from VU; the search could begin later in April and still meet the announced kick off.
I can report that the Search Committee was named last week—5 Board members (including chair Jon Steinbrecher), 2 faculty, 1 staff representative, and 1 alumni representative). They have been tasked during April to find a firm to assist with the search. The June 1 deadline you mention seems to be possible, but as you note, the timing also could be "strategic": "if they wait until the semester is over, campus visits will have far less interaction with students, and probably less interaction with faculty."
I can report that the Search Committee was named last week—5 Board members (including chair Jon Steinbrecher), 2 faculty, 1 staff representative, and 1 alumni representative). They have been tasked during April to find a firm to assist with the search. The June 1 deadline you mention seems to be possible, but as you note, the timing also could be "strategic": "if they wait until the semester is over, campus visits will have far less interaction with students, and probably less interaction with faculty."
There’s a difference between deliberate and plodding. Does the committee have support staff assigned to do the grunt work and move the process along?
Your point, Pal, regarding an empty campus during candidate visits is an important one — especially in that only two faculty and no students are on the committee.
There’s a difference between deliberate and plodding. Does the committee have support staff assigned to do the grunt work and move the process along?
Your point, Pal, regarding an empty campus during candidate visits is an important one — especially in that only two faculty and no students are on the committee.
To answer your question, apparently the search committee is currently receiving administrative support from a member of the President's office, but my understanding is that a "support committee" will be not be selected until "later in the process" to offer assistance during the final stages of the search, and it will include two students.
Can the new president at least change the mascot? Or find someone in marketing that realizes NO ONE LIKES THE DOGS!?!? I’m sure a ton of people would love the end of the dog era. I would spend all my money to someone run around in a lighthouse costume… Would be both funny and at least similar to the name. Plus it’d bring so much comedic attention. Maybe even a bird with flames??? I mean anything but the dogs… please. Keeping the name is fine but a cool mascot would be a game changer.
@regionrat03 - totally agree, the dog mascots suck. Bring in a dancing lighttower to compete with the Stanford Tree!
Look, I don't like the dogs either, but the way the school uses them isn't doing em any favors. From what I heard from someone I know in the basketball sector, they aren't even allowed on the court half the time. They just have to stick to the corner near the foyer and the backdrop. Part of what made the crusader special was he was roaming around the court and interacting with fans. He was out on the court during time outs and led the students and fanatics in the motions for the fight song. With the dogs, the students dont even know what do do, if they show up at all, and the only people who f9ollow along with the traditions are in their golden years.
I am of the opinion that the crusader is likely never to come back, and the people who still refuse to support the program after the name change need a dose of reality. With that being said, you can do so much better than 2 dogs. Have a robed cartoony lamplighter come out with a torch. Heck, if anyone has ever seen Mary Poppins Returns, have a real human being dress up as a Leery and dance around the court like the Leprechaun at ND. Anything but the 2 dogs.
if we can find a decent mascot representing the Beacon, I am fine with that. The dog decision was stupid and whoever thought this or allowed this should be sacked, period!
