Fac. Senate nominates Hildebrand for chair

Statistics Professor David Hildebrand has been nominated to take over as the Faculty Senate chairperson for the 1992-1993 academic year. The Faculty Senate Nominating Committee earlier this month selected Hildebrand as its choice for the position, and nominees are normally elected without opposition. However, individual faculty can nominate additional candidates by compiling a petition with at least 25 signatures by today's deadline. If no petitions are filed, Hildebrand will take over as chairperson-elect position in May. If another candidate is nominated, the Senate will hold an election. Hildebrand said he was stunned to learn of his nomination. "It's a mixture of being flattered that people think I can do the job and concerned about my ability to do it," Hildebrand said last night. "I guess this proves that flattery will get you everywhere," Hildebrand said, referring to his acceptance of the nomination. Hildebrand came to the University in 1965 as a graduate student and has remained here since. He has served on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee in the past and currently moderates University Council meetings. SEC members applauded the nomination last night and said they were pleased by the committee's choice. SEC Chairperson Louise Shoemaker said last night she was pleased with the decision. "I had not heard [Hildebrand's] name come up beforehand, so I was just really delighted when I found out," Shoemaker said. "It's an excelllent choice. He's very familiar with both the Senate and the University Council." Current Senate Chairperson Almarin Phillips also said he was happy with the nomination. "I am optimistic about the future of the Faculty Senate with [Hildebrand] at the helm," Phillips said. "I anticipate that if he is elected, he will make a very good chair." Shoemaker said since Hildebrand was such a good choice, she would be surprised if there was a write-in candidate. Along with Hildebrand, the SEC Nominating Committee also named candidates for three committees and for at-large members. Shoemaker said she thought the University's financial situation would be a major issue in the upcoming term. The University is currently facing a potential budget deficit and could lose several million dollars in state funding. "The difficult fiscal situation is certainly going to give the Senate a lot to do," she said. Hildebrand said he felt faculty retirements and replacements would be an issue that would require thought and decency. He also said he plans to listen to all sides of the issues. "I've been told that it's not smart to go in riding the white horse and to have all sorts of items on the agenda," the nominee said last night. "Much of what has to be done is to represent all sides of the faculty."

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