The findings of a Purdue University survey created to figure out what Boilermakers want in their next president went public Monday.
And for some, the results were "eye opening."
"That was a comment made to me by one of the search committee members, so I thought we did our job," said Morry Levy, chairman of the Purdue University Senate. "Is everybody's opinion expressed in the survey? No. Will there be people who regard this as unnecessarily hostile to the administration because we don't point out every good thing the administration has done? Possibly.
"But here is a laundry list of what people want in the next president, and what they want the president to do."
In September 2011, Levy formed a 24-member senate special advisory committee at the request of trustee Michael Berghoff, chairman of the presidential search committee. The focus of the advisory group was to provide recommendations to the presidential search committee, as well as identify strategic priorities for the incoming administration.
To accomplish that goal, the advisory committee gathered feedback from more than 7,000 students, faculty and staff members at all of Purdue's campuses through a number of open-ended surveys.
The report contained an overall summary of desired presidential traits, as well as concerns for each individual group of respondents.
"We found the findings generated from the senate advisory committee quite comprehensive," Berghoff said. "They contained feedback from a large number of our key constituents that helped us identify themes folks believe are important to consider when identifying candidates for our next president. We very much appreciate everyone's input and the support of the committee. A special thank you goes out to them and Morry."
Levy said the largest number of responses came from the approximately 5,000 students who participated in the survey.
Brett Highley, Purdue's student body president, thought the number of students who got involved in the process was encouraging. In addition to the survey, Purdue Student Government helped organize forums that gave students the chance to be heard.
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"Students recognize that they are a key stakeholder in this, and the vision and leadership of the next president will have a major impact on them," Highley said.
Among undergraduate students, a top concern was finding a president who has an appreciation for Purdue culture.
"That was surprising to me," Highley said. "That was my own response, but to really see that as something students placed a high value on was surprising, and that made me proud."
Purdue freshman Ashley Williams agreed, stating that the next president should be as in-tune with all Boilermaker traditions as the student body.
From academic traditions such as Purdue's strong focus on research and international programs, to student-life favorites such as running through the engineering fountain and sledding down Slayter Hill, the new president must have it all covered.
"I didn't get a chance to do the survey, but I'm glad that so many students did," Williams said. "The next president will more than likely be the president I have for the rest of my Purdue career ... so I want them to love the school as much as I do."
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