The Chancellor Search and Screen committee held their first of many open forums on Friday to seek input on what qualities and expertise staff and students at the University of Wisconsin-Superior would like to see in their new chancellor.

Dr. Martha Einerson, Chair of the Chancellor Search and Screen committee, says it is important for students and staff to participate in the forums to let their voices be heard.

"It's important so that...the entire campus community feels a part of the search and screen process," she stated in an interview prior to the forum. "So when community members believe and understand that what they think is important...they feel committed to whatever decision this committee put together to represent this campus community and surrounding community of Superior."

The input will be collected throughout the next few weeks through a series of forums and meetings. All of this information will then be organized and become part of the chancellor position description, which is hoped to be posted by November 1.

The goal of the committee now is to get as many people involved as possible so that it doesn't appear that there are only a handful of people making the decisions, but that the entire campus community weighs in and let them know what they want in their new chancellor. The forums are open-ended, meaning the committee isn't searching for specific criteria; rather, they want any input that anyone feels is important. Einerson says there are "no priorities" as far as whose voices are the most important.

"Every voice on this campus counts and every bit of input is important. There's no heirarchy or level of importance," she says. "Everybody's voice matters, because every one of us; if you are a campus community member; if you're a student or staff, a member of the Alumni board, the Foundation board; if you're an alumnist of this campus; all of us hold a really, very equal stake in finding the best possible leadership we can for campus."

Einerson and student committee member Logan Campa will also be seeking input at the first Student Senate meeting on Mon., Sep. 27. These meetings begin at 8 p.m. and are open to the public. Einerson says that if their schedule permits students to attend the Student Senate meeting or one of the open forums, they should come and voice their input.

"The most important message is 'Know that your voice matters'," Einerson says. "Also, know that any student, [faculty or staff member] could contact me, anytime, to say 'I wasn't able to attend...but here's what's important to me.'...let me know, and I will make sure the committee then knows and is aware of what your concerns are, what is important."

If students are unable to attend an open forum or Student Senate meeting and would still like to have a voice in choosing UW-Superior's new chancellor, Dr. Einerson's contact information can be found under the Directories page on the school's homepage and let her know what qualities the new chancellor should have.