Search for new Cape Breton University president continues
Cape Breton University held a town hall meeting on Monday night in it's continuing efforts to find a new president.
A search committee expects to have a short list of candidates to replace David Wheeler by December.
Wheeler, who held the position since 2013, parted ways with the university and signed a confidential severance agreement last December. The reasons for his departure have not been made public.
Thirty-five people took part in the discussion.
Challenging job
John Strasser, a former president of Sydney Steel who now lives in Mira, said whoever gets the job will face many challenges.
"Having the university on the island is a tough go, we knew that when we incorporated as a university. You need to have somebody who is focused on the students and you have to operate with the budget that you have," said Strasser.
"You can't be looking for the government to solve your problems all the time cause that's not what a good leader does."
New president should be 'go-getter'
Retired CBU professor Charles MacDonald told the crowd the new president has to fight for the university on all levels.
"Normally you will find a candidate in the academic field, but you can't exclude somebody who has not that background," MacDonald said.
"He or she should be a go-getter and they should be open to the possibilities that present themselves and if they don't present themselves, he or she has got to kick down the door."
What happened to Wheeler?
Geology professor Jason Loxton suggested the hiring process itself should include finding out why former president David Wheeler left in the first place.
"It's too late if you hire the wrong guy because you didn't seriously consult and consider what went wrong the first time, that has to shape the hiring decision otherwise you're just going to repeat the same issue," Loxton said.
"And it may even come down to maybe it was a personality conflict between the president and the board of governors. I literally have no idea, but if that's the case then maybe you need to hire somebody who is unlikely to have that personality conflict."
Search firm helps in hunt
CBU has hired the executive search firm Odgers Berndtson Canada to help with the process.
Colleen Keenan, co-lead of academic practice, said consultation is an important first step.
She said the company will also post a formal advertisement for the job in national newspapers and online.
The university and its student union are also using an online survey to gather information about the job itself and asking what qualities would best serve the position.
Interviews are expected to take place early in the new year.
CBU expects to name its new president by the end of January.
