SGA calls for transparency in dean search

As the journalism college begins its search for a new dean, Student Government Association executives have proposed a bill calling on administrators to be more transparent and open to student input during the process than some journalism students felt they have been in the past.

In an email to the university community over the weekend, Provost Ann Wylie wrote she would soon be appointing a search committee so a new dean might be appointed by the time Kevin Klose — who announced his resignation last month — steps down at the end of June. But some students in the college have concerns beyond who will chair the committee.

Last week, SGA Speaker of the Legislature Carson McDonald proposed a bill encouraging transparency and consideration of student input during the search.

The resolution is on the body's agenda in its weekly legislative session tonight. Although SGA legislators typically propose bills regarding searches for new university administrators, McDonald said the concern about transparency was especially emphasized in light of recent controversies surrounding the college.

Last summer, students and faculty alike bemoaned a reported lack of transparency over Klose's decision to fire three well-known administrators, as well as his reluctance to answer requests to release the college's fundraising figures and budget.

"When all of the executives were meeting to draft this resolution, one of the things that came up was that student input and transparency is important to any college, but especially with some of the concerns in the journalism school, we wanted to make sure transparency and student input were among their priorities," McDonald said.

SGA Senior Director of Policy Michelle Chan — formerly the body's journalism legislator until she was appointed to her present position earlier this semester — said she hoped administrators would make renewed transparency a priority as the college moves into a new era of leadership.

"I've talked to some students who've said they felt the administration hasn't always been as open to them as they could be," Chan said. "I think that it would be moving forward that they take this opportunity to include student input."

Although Wylie declined to comment further on search specifics, she wrote in an email that the committee will include student representatives.

"I expect finalists to be available to students for interaction," Wylie wrote. "I will listen carefully to input from all constituencies before an appointment is made."

But Chan said having students sit on the committee is only the start — it is much more important that the student voices actually are acutally heard and considered.

"Students are on a lot of committees where they're outnumbered and might not be listened to and might not be treated the way they should if their opinion matters," Chan said, but she added, "I am confident they will listen to the needs of students."

Journalism professor Chris Hanson said he had heard concerns from his own students regarding college administrators' openness to their opinions.

"I don't think transparency is a concern," Hanson said. "I personally believe there should be student input. Students are often not consulted enough."

villanueva@umdbk.com