Job search failed for Provost, VP
Rallo is 'less than pleased' with results
By: Sarah Smith
Issue date: 1/29/10 Section: News
The search will resume next month for new administrators after the process was unsuccessful at the close of last semester.
A consultant search firm will find new candidates for provost/vice president of academic affairs, as well as a new vice president of student affairs.
Candidates recommended by the two hiring committees turned ASU down, giving the boards no option but to return to square one of the hiring process.
Jeff Harris, student body president and student representative on the provost/VPAA hiring board, said the board members were disappointed by the set back, but they hope to have new recommendations by mid-March.
"There were no hard feelings or anything like that," Harris said. "It's just what happens when you have good candidates who are applying for multiple positions."
A search firm consultant contracted by administrators, Alberto Pimentel, found that the candidate selected by the VPAA board had already taken another position before ASU could make an offer.
"I was less than pleased," University President Joseph C. Rallo said. "One of the rules of the game is that when you're a candidate with a search firm, you work with them."
Rallo said he is confident this problem will not repeat itself, and a new provost will be in place, as scheduled, this summer.
Rallo said the search firm will provide their services for free this semester. This includes the search for a new VPSA.
Both of the top candidates did not make sure their wives were fully involved in the process before applying for the position, according to Rallo's letter to the university.
"I've never had a situation where both searches were unable to succeed because of rather unusual circumstances," Rallo said. "I don't anticipate it happening again."
Despite the frustrations, both Rallo and Harris are confident the new candidates will be equally qualified as those in the fall.
Harris said it is important for candidates to be open to students and responsive to their requests. He feels students will see immediate results from the new VPSA and will be greatly impacted by the VPAA.
"I want someone who genuinely is concerned about the students and is very open to other people, personable and approachable," freshman Morgan Ostwinkle said, "so that suggestions, concerns, etcetera, can be relayed to them directly with ease."
The boards will start reviewing applications soon, Rallo said.
A consultant search firm will find new candidates for provost/vice president of academic affairs, as well as a new vice president of student affairs.
Candidates recommended by the two hiring committees turned ASU down, giving the boards no option but to return to square one of the hiring process.
Jeff Harris, student body president and student representative on the provost/VPAA hiring board, said the board members were disappointed by the set back, but they hope to have new recommendations by mid-March.
"There were no hard feelings or anything like that," Harris said. "It's just what happens when you have good candidates who are applying for multiple positions."
A search firm consultant contracted by administrators, Alberto Pimentel, found that the candidate selected by the VPAA board had already taken another position before ASU could make an offer.
"I was less than pleased," University President Joseph C. Rallo said. "One of the rules of the game is that when you're a candidate with a search firm, you work with them."
Rallo said he is confident this problem will not repeat itself, and a new provost will be in place, as scheduled, this summer.
Rallo said the search firm will provide their services for free this semester. This includes the search for a new VPSA.
Both of the top candidates did not make sure their wives were fully involved in the process before applying for the position, according to Rallo's letter to the university.
"I've never had a situation where both searches were unable to succeed because of rather unusual circumstances," Rallo said. "I don't anticipate it happening again."
Despite the frustrations, both Rallo and Harris are confident the new candidates will be equally qualified as those in the fall.
Harris said it is important for candidates to be open to students and responsive to their requests. He feels students will see immediate results from the new VPSA and will be greatly impacted by the VPAA.
"I want someone who genuinely is concerned about the students and is very open to other people, personable and approachable," freshman Morgan Ostwinkle said, "so that suggestions, concerns, etcetera, can be relayed to them directly with ease."
The boards will start reviewing applications soon, Rallo said.
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