Drawing NIU one step closer to the appointment of a new provost by the projected July 1 deadline, five or six candidates will be chosen Friday by the Provost Search Committee.

“This is an extremely important position. The individual is not only the chief academic officer but also is our major academic representative to higher education in the state, as well as to the group of academic vice-presidents around the country,” said NIU President John LaTourette.

Last fall, the search committee developed requirements for the position and developed a rating sheet for the initial screening process.

Announcements asking for nominations and applications were circulated in various issues of The Chronicle of Higher Education and letters were sent to various agencies, associations, and universities throughout the country, including those institutions which consist predominantly of blacks and women, said James Lankford, search committee member.

The committee initially received 113 applications and nominations for the position, of which 71 were selected as possible candidates.

After reviewing the credentials of the 71, the committee narrowed the pool of candidates down to 10. Out of the ten, the committee will choose five or six candidates who will be interviewed by various university constituents, including a group of 22 students.

Lankford anticipates interviews will begin March 30 or 31 and will run three weeks. In addition to the group interviews, open forums will be held so individuals on campus can question the candidates.

“It is extremely important we get as much input as possible from students, staff and faculty,” Lankford said. As of yet, he did not know when the public forums will be held because the final interview schedules will be determined after the candidates are contacted March 23.

Lankford said several of the candidates are from NIU, but he would not disclose any names. “It appears we have some very highly qualified individuals. We will pick the best person for the job,” he said.

After the group interviews are complete, evaluations and recommendations are submitted to the search committee which, in turn, submits its recommendation to LaTourette. He then reviews the committee’s recommendations and submits his selection to the Board of Regents for approval. Lankford said the committee hopes the Regents will act on the recommendation at their May meeting.