Regents fear search process may scare off a CCSN chief

Aaron Clemens

Friday, June 2, 2000 | 11:26 a.m.

The university Board of Regents' concerns about scaring away candidates for the president's post at the Community College of Southern Nevada overrode the desire of some search committee members for an open and measurable format.

Committee member Carolyn Sparks, a university regent from 1984 to 1996, argued for the measurable form they used during the several searches she participated in. She said that they decided using a common form was legally the safest route.

If a questionnaire for compiling a uniform scoring system is required, it would become public record, said Tom Ray, general counsel for the University and Community College System of Nevada. All of the 60 to 70 candidates would have their names and rankings made public at the July 14 meeting to select semifinalists.

"I'm concerned that many good applicants do not want their present employer to know they are seeking other work," Regent Dave Phillips said.

"I think the scoring could embarrass the candidates," Regent Doug Seastrand said.

Recently the final two candidates for superintendent of the Clark County School District dropped out of consideration following extensive publicity. Also, UNLV President Carol Harter removed herself from consideration for the University of South Florida presidency after publicity surrounding it sprang up in Las Vegas.

After hearing about those incidents, two board members working for the community college continued to lobby for the form collection method. Their boss, interim CCSN President Robert Silverman, has already announced his intention to run for the permanent position.

Hyla Winters, program director for Health Information Technologies at CCSN, and Thomas Peacock, CCSN's assistant vice president for Human Resources, eventually agreed to the more confidential procedure preferred by regents.

Peacock then confirmed that at the June 14 meeting the local candidates could confirm if they made the first cut.

The recent search for a president of Western Nevada Community College attracted 150 applicants, but search coordinator Kathy Harney said several factors limited recruiting.

First, she said former CCSN President Richard Moore is a hard act to follow. Second, Southern Nevada is not perceived as a cosmopolitan area. Third, the salaries offered are not high enough. Fourth, there is a current acting president who is competing as well.