Dick McKennett, chair for the WSC Presidential Search Committee, said Thursday morning that advertisement costs totaled $19,675.56, and included ads in publications like the Chronicle of Higher Education and Community College Times.
"We are over budget in that area; now, there may be some areas where we are going to make up a little," said McKennett,who added the committee may also seek to raise funds within the community in the future.
However, there are no immediate concerns that require the amendment of the budget.
At this point, there are 14 preliminary candidates vying for the vacancy that comes as a result of the upcoming retirement of WSC President Dr. Joe McCann. The applicants so far include: Stanley Jones of Ohio, Kent State University, academic program director, Horticulture Department; Dr. Ed Mills of Texas, University of Texas associate provost and dean of the School of Education; Marvin Bausman of Wisconsin, a Blackhawk Technical College faculty member; Dr. Lewis Jones of Minnesota, The Sokoni Group senior associate; Dr. Terrance Hitchcock of Minnesota, a Metropolitan State University faculty member; Dr. John Miller of Idaho, College of Southern Idaho instructional dean and Idaho Digital Learning Academy on-line principal; Darren Pitcher of Montana, Miles Community College dean of Students Services; Dr. Vince Pellegrino of Minnesota, a Southwest Minnesota State University instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences and advisor to School of Business; Dr. Kay Adkins of Ohio, Columbus State Community College provost; Dr. Terry Dixon of Georgia, American Intercontinental University provost and chief academic officer; Dr. Daniel Blankenship of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin Fond du Lac chief executive officer and campus dean; John Fenner of Washington, D.C., Coe College, Iowa and FPMT/JMJ, Nepal independent contractor; Dr. Loren Scheer of South Dakota, Douglas School District 51-1 superintendent; Dr. Raymond Nadoiny of Washington, Lake Washington Technical School vice president of Extended Learning. Many others have contacted search consultant David Ponitz via telephone expressing interest and plan to apply.
"I'm still very optimistic that we'll get a large number of applicants," said McKennett.
"He (Ponitz) did say too that the way these things go that a lot of people wait until right near the end of the time period...(and) to expect another batch of them," said McKennett. "He's been very optimistic and so have I."
Ponitz said during a telephone interview that the number of applications will most definitely change by the Nov. 14 deadline.
"We still have a month to go," added Ponitz.
McKennett said Ponitz is making a personal effort to encourage candidates from the Midwest, and particularly North Dakota, to apply for the job.
"He is enthusiastic and thinks things are going well," added McKenett.
During the last WSC presidential search in September 1999, the committee received 12 overall applications. From that number, seven people came to Williston for on-campus interviews, said Wanda Meyer, WSC director of Distance Education and committee member.
Once the application deadline closes, Ponitz is to review the number of candidate and narrow them down to about 15 people.
"His (Ponitz) purpose would be to check for moral turpitude and references," said McKennett.
Initially, the committee said these 15 candidates would be interviewed through the Interactive Video Network (IVN), but upon discussion the committee decided to reduce that number to 10 candidates.
The committee agreed to review 15 applications, and along with Ponitz, select the 10 people to be interviewed through IVN sometime between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15.
The committee also decided during its meeting Thursday to broadcast the IVN interviews on the college's Web site in an attempt to provide flexibility for the general public to be part of the process.
Meyer estimates streaming these interviews for two weeks costs about $50 per candidate.
North Dakota University System Chancellor William Goetz, who participated in Thursday's meeting via telephone conference, was pleased with the idea the committee decided to interview 10 people through IVN.
Regarding concerns about who should ask questions during the IVN interview, Goetz suggested a subcommittee of three people be formed to represent the entire committee.
Committee member Deanette Piesik proposed the subcommittee have a representative from the college, the community and the business sector, and committee members agreed.Those individuals have not yet been selected.
Committee members and Ponitz are generating the questions to be asked during the IVN interviews. Also under consideration is giving the candidates five minutes to introduce themselves before the interview begins.
"That would give us more of a feel of what kind of candidates is a fit," said Terry Olson, WSC foundation executive director and committee member.
The candidates also can ask questions of the committee at the end of the interview.
The next search committee meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at WSC's Stevens Hall, Room 101.
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