WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
By Chip Skambis
The Search Committee to find the 12th President of the University of Florida hosted a public forum earlier this afternoon. A group of faculty, students and Gainesville residents attended and offered feedback as to what qualities they would like to see in the University’s next president. A wide variety of faculty, students and Gainesville residents discussed and presented the qualities they wished to see in the next president of the University of Florida. Most said they want a president with political savvy to deal with a legislature intent on cutting education budgets. The discussion became a little tense when members started talking about whether or not the president should be an academic. Ralf Remshardt, a theatre professor in attendance advocated for an academic president along with many other faculty members.
[audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/Remsart1.mp3]Marcus Motes was a business grad student sitting at the same table. He particularly wanted to stress that no person should be ruled out solely for being involved in the private sector.
[audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/MotesQA.mp3]All attendees agreed that the president should have some sort of political savvy and graduate-level degree.
