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FRIDAY Issue MAY 3, 2013 FRESNO STATE
COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU
SERVING CAMPUS SINCE 1922
Controversy continues in search for president A closed meeting in Los Angeles increases tension between campus and administration
By Jacob Rayburn and Brianna Vaccari The Collegian
Fresno State faculty and students appear to be no closer to getting information about the presidential search committee than during the open forum in February. According to a Fresno Bee article published Wednesday, there has been progress in the search, but it is still being conducted behind a veil of mystery. In the article it was reported that the field of 64 candidates has been whittled down to a final four. According to a California State University (CSU) memorandum included in the article, a meeting will occur today at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. During that meeting the committee will consider which candidates will advance to the next level in the job search. Lisa Weston, the English department chair, shared her frustration with the process in a conversation on the eve of the tightly guarded meeting. “If you’re going to do it in a hotel, bring on the hookers and the booze,” Weston said. “Bad visuals. It looks sleazy. It looks like they are trying to keep this as far from the campus as possible. Legitimate business meetings should happen at your place of business.” The concerns about a lack of transparency raised in the Feb. 12 forum covered by The Collegian still hold true for
Weston today. She spoke then about her concerns and said she is still frustrated that faculty hasn’t been allowed to be more involved. “It’s not a kind of egotism,” Weston said. “Faculty do contribute to this university. It’s not just insulting to have someone say you don’t need to know who is going to be our boss, the lack of consultation sets up a bad atmosphere for how we are supposed to interact with this person.” She said that finding voices of support amongst faculty for the search committee’s process might be difficult. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin to look to find a faculty member who thinks it’s a good idea,” Weston said. After the February forum, Pete Mehas, a CSU Board of Trustees member, said the closed consultation practices of the committee reflect its concern for the careers of potential candidates. The thought is the candidates could lose their jobs if their current employers found out they were considering a career change. Associated Students Inc. president Arthur Montejano, who is on the committee to provide a student perspective and advocate for student needs, said that the issue of secrecy has been overplayed. “I think it’s a little more of a storyline than it is secrecy,” Montejano said. “It’s not that irregular. Maybe in the final stages of searches for other divisions the candidates might be invited to
Roe Borunda / The Collegian
CSU Board of Trustees member Pete Mehas (L) and CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White at the “open forum” in February. Both are members of the Fresno State presidential search committee.
campus or something—like a director position or something. In the Bee, they quoted Dr. Mehas as saying that they hadn’t ruled it out. I think it has gained more press than is warranted. It’s pretty standard procedure actually for personnel positions.” Montejano added that it’s a new
world compared to when presidents were selected 25 or 50 years ago. He said that people have to be guarded today about what information is available about them in the job market. “You have to remember that these See SEARCH, Page 3
Exchange Dean’s Medalists announced offers water-wise plants Via University Communications
Via University Communications T h e f i f t h a n n u a l Wa t e r- Wi s e Plant Exchange will be held 8 a.m.12 p.m. Saturday at the Fresno State Horticulture Park. During the event, the public can pick-up free drought-resistant plants and learn how to save water with good landscaping practices. Gardeners are encouraged to bring excess plants from their own gardens to share with others. Additional event activities include: a Master Gardener clinic; a vermiculture display with Wiggly worms; Fresno State’s Water-wise “Garden in Bloom” and access to irrigation and controller experts who can help answer residents’ questions concerning landscapes or vegetable gardens; Kid’s Mother’s Day craft project; Fresno State’s Floral Laboratory displays’ and the Fresno State Plant sale. New this year, the event will feature Master Gardener workshops on vermiculture, composting and edible landscaping. Experts in native and water-wise plants will be available to offer advice for nurturing yards and gardens that are beautiful and can thrive in San Joaquin Valley weather with a minimal See PLANTS, Page 3
Nine top graduating seniors have been named Undergraduate Dean’s Medalists for the Class of 2013 at Fresno State. The medalists are chosen as the outstanding students in each of the university’s eight schools and colleges of academic discipline and the Division of Student Affairs. The dean of each college/school selects an undergraduate medalist and a graduate medalist based on academic excellence, community involvement and other achievements. One of the medalists will be named the President’s Medalist, the top academic honor, at the 102nd Commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 18 at the Save Mart Center. 2013 Dean’s Undergraduate Medalists:
Lindsey Lewis, Colle g e of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Lindsey Lewis, of Lancaster, completed a B.S. in agricultural education with a 3.976 GPA. Complementing her academic success is a long list of work experience, leadership and community service activities. She received numerous awards, including membership in the Smittcamp Family Honors College, Lockheed Martin Leadership Association Scholarship and the Califor nia’s Teachers Association Scholarship. In the Animal Science and Agricultural Education Department, she served as the FFA Field Day Food Committee chair and as historian of the Poultry Science Society. She also
spearheaded the annual Farm Clean-up Day. She is active in service work with her church, serving as a youth leader and dedicating time to missionary work to assist needy communities in Mexico and Ecuador. Her career goal is to work in the poultry industry to ensure a high quality product for consumers and a high quality of life for animals.
Shelby Art, College of Arts and Humanities Shelby Art, of Twentynine Palms, completed a B.A. in theatre arts with a 3.97 GPA. A Smittcamp Family Honors scholar, she is also an actor, director, choreographer, playwright, and costume and makeup designer. In her four years at Fresno State, she perfor med in 12 plays and was nominated for the American College Theatre Festival competition based on a performance in “Talking With ...”, in which she handled a “terrifyingly real” snake as part of her role. Her original play, “Undergrad,” was chosen for performance by the Experimental Theatre Company last fall, and she served as both as director and choreographer. Despite her active production schedule and heavy course load, she served on the student board of directors of the Experimental Theatre Company and organized student volunteers for the department open house. Recognized by her fellow students for her leadership skills, she was elected to represent the students at faculty meetings. She is a member of Totarct, a Rotary-sponsored service organization for young people. Art has auditioned for professional theatre companies, conservatories and M.F.A. programs in acting and directing at major institutions, receiving sec-
ond interviews at seven schools.
Jesse Lownsbury, Craig School of Business Jesse Lownsbury, of Oakhurst, completed a B.S. in business administration with a 3.95 GPA. Last year, he was named volunteer of the year for his innumerable hours working with the local Little League. He is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. A transfer student from Reedley College, he is a member of the 2012-13 Craig Honors Program where he is conducting research for his thesis on how personality and job status affect social media content. His aim is to provide a greater understanding of the implications of posting content on social media sites. Before returning to school to earn an M.B.A., his immediate plans are to study for the CPA exam before starting with joining PricewaterhouseCoopers in September. His dream is to teach at the university level. Diana Lopez, Kremen School of Education and Human Development Diana Lopez, of Clovis, completed a B.A. in liberal studies and a minor in urban civic education with a 4.0 GPA. Her parents are immigrants from Mexico who did not have the opportunities for education that have been afforded her, but her close-knit family instilled in her respect for the opportunities an education could provide. At Fresno State she was active as a mentor, both at the university and in local schools. She has directed service learning projects, tutored across grade See MEDALISTS, Page 3