Several music students, who said two of their instructors were laid off, protested staff cuts during a board of trustees meeting Wednesday in the student union. Wright State announced 23 layoffs last week, including six instructors and 17 staff members.
Trustees approved a "presidential search profile" that recommends the university hire a president "who advocates tirelessly on behalf of the university and its students, faculty and staff." The profile also suggested that the next president should come from academia and should have experience as a provost, vice president or president.
"While a few (attributes) have bubbled to the top, everything in here is important," Fecher said.
The search committee developed its profile by gathering opinions at three public forums and a symposium that included college presidents from around Ohio. Also, Fecher said a survey that received more than 2,000 responses offered insight.
The deadline to apply for the position of president is Dec. 5. Fecher said the committee then will recommend candidates to the board of trustees.
The profile emphasized the need for a president who values "the student experience." Fecher mentioned that a good president "doesn't just listen" to students but is able to look at their issues "through different lenses."
Top candidates should have "a genuine love of interacting with, meeting and learning about a diverse student body," according to the profile.
Students protesting said the recent cuts do not align with Wright State's mantra of focusing on students first. Some said they came to Wright State to work with specific instructors and will not be able to anymore because they are being laid off.
Wright State President David Hopkins said he was happy to see students expressing their opinions, but that they may not understand just how strategic the university was in its cuts.
"Obviously we're here to serve the students," Hopkins said. "As we've done this, we've done it in a way with the least negative impact on the least number of people as possible."
Separately, the board of trustees approved the sale of land Wright State owns in Yellow Springs to Miami Township in Greene County for $350,000.
The university owns 26 lots at the intersection of Xenia Avenue and Herman Street in Yellow Springs and will be selling 11 of them, approximately two acres, said spokesman Seth Bauguess.
The university previously operated a medical clinic on the property, but the clinic has been demolished and the land has been vacant for several years, Bauguess said.
Trustees said Miami Township may use the land to build a fire station.
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