Search for new CSUB President begins with forum

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The committee to select the next president of California State University Bakersfield held its first community forum Tuesday to get input from students, staff faculty and local residents.

Committee Chair Doug Faigin outlined the search process, which should be complete in early fall. He told the crowd the committee was eager to hear their opinions on what a successful next president must have.

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Alejandro Martinez, student and director of ASI community outreach suggested, “In our next president, I would like to see someone who is rather vocal and passionate for the work they do for the students of this very campus. To add on to that, a president who is always available and allocates time to spend with our student population.”

Graduate student and Marine Corps Veteran Robert Hunt said, “You guys may have opened up your news apps today and noticed a lot of universities are in the headlines for going nuts. You might have also noticed that CSUB was not among those headlines because this place is peaceful, secure and we have a good police presence, a big security presence. The person overseeing that at the moment is the current interim president so, if possible, I’d like to advocate for keeping Dr. Harper around.”

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Other students in the audience voiced their opinions about the importance of the president getting to know the students, saying any candidates up for the role should make it a top priority.

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