Staff Editorial: Make your voice heard at the forum

This afternoon, the search committee for Penn's next president will hold three open forums to gather input from students, faculty and staff. While the student forum overlaps with the administration and staff session, it is assumed that various committee members -- trustees included -- will be attending all three sessions.

This is a noteworthy gesture from the committee in what is typically a closed-door process. With only a handful of faculty members, four students and no administrators or staffers on the search committee, this may be the only chance that Penn community members get to have their voices heard.

The search committee is largely made up of trustees, which is understandable, because they arguably have the most to lose or gain from the next president. But the Board of Trustees convenes only a few times on campus each year, and committee members may not have a strong grasp of the issues that the new president must address.

Today's forums are a golden opportunity for faculty members and administrators to pull for a president they feel they can work with and voice concerns about the selection process. And because faculty representation on the committee is scarce, those two sessions with the committee will likely be filled to capacity.

But it is equally if not more important that students turn out in large numbers as well. This is the chance for Penn students to show that despite their lack of experience, they too can give valid input into the search process. Students are vastly underrepresented on the committee, and a large turnout would go a long way toward dispelling the belief that the student body doesn't care enough to be involved in the process.

We strongly encourage all students to attend this afternoon's forum, especially those who have a vested interest in the selection of the new president. Groups that are unhappy with the lack of diversity on campus should lobby for a president who will commit to a running dialogue. Pro-union graduate students should attend and lobby for a president who will respect the rights of students to form a union.

Whether you have a candidate in mind or you just want to bring an issue to the committee's attention, if you have something to say, go to this afternoon's meeting. If nothing else, it may your only chance to help select a college president.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.