Many to have a say in UNLV A.D. hiring process

Nick Christensen

Friday, June 27, 2003 | 10:57 a.m.

The search committee responsible for finding UNLV's next athletic director comprises UNLV faculty members, community representatives, and staff from the Rebels athletic department.

Also on the board are two students, representing UNLV's undergraduate and graduate populations.

Nick Christiansen, the newly elected undergrad vice president, was selected by the school senate following the first meeting of the search committee June 15. Graduate and Professional Student Association President Jocelina Santos was selected by her organization before the first meeting.

The committee's head, UNLV history professor Dr. Joseph "Andy" Fry, thinks the student representation on the board is important. Undergraduate and graduate representation are mandated by UNLV bylaws for all high-level search committees.

"I think the makeup is a wise one," said Fry last week. "It brings together a variety of viewpoints, and I think rather than trying to say that one person's perspective is better than another's, it's rather... different people bring different perspectives, and they're all valuable."

University regent Steve Sisolak agrees with the importance of students serving on the board.

"I think it's an attempt by the president and administration to make it a shared decision, to get more people involved and get more input. I think students are just another segment that administration wants some input from."

Santos, a doctoral student in hotel administration, said she has served on several similar search committees, but brings an important perspective to this one.

"I support all the sports," said Santos. "I use the facilities to work out, so I come into contact with the folks at the athletic complex. Being president of the GPSA, I'm familiar with the administration.

"I come from the perspective of how it's going to impact the graduate student. It's a lot of work. If you're a conscientious committee member, you have to put a lot of time and energy into it."

Christiansen, the undergraduate representative, worked four years in the athletic department. He said being a former employee of the department provides a unique perspective. "I've been around college athletics since I was a kid in Reno, being around coaching staffs up there. I have a real different feel and perspective than the general guy would that really hasn't been around sports."

Christiansen said he didn't think there the students on the search committee would be ignored by the older members of the group.

"I would hope that I would have the respect I want," he said. "Obviously, it's not going to be the same respect Coach Spoonhour gets, but I think people are going to be surprised by what I do know about the athletic department."

Sisolak said students can often be the most vocal representatives, but those delegates may not necessarily represent the rest of the student body.