The search for the next university president will continue this week.

The Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) will meet at noon on Thursday in Altgeld Hall, Room 315. The committee will discuss the job description for the position of university president and meet with the Board of Trustees (BOT). The search committee was approved by the BOT on Nov. 8, and is staffed by 28 members of NIU. The university is looking for President John Peters’ replacement, following his announcement of his retirement.

Alan Rosenbaum, PSAC co-chair and psychology professor, said he believes a description of the university president position will be finalized and up for approval by the BOT this Thursday. The BOT charged PSAC to help it with the search, he said.

“The selection of the president is really the prerogative of the Board of Trustees,” Rosenbaum said.

The search committee must have a description for the position in place so Parker Executive Search can begin advertising for the position.

“We only have a limited amount of time before the president retires,” Rosenbaum said.

Parker Executive Search handles the logistics of the search and helps with recruiting candidates, Rosenbaum said. The firm was contracted by the university to help PSAC and has no direct input in the search, he said.

Mike Theodore, PSAC member and junior political science major, said he believes everyone on the committee wants to make sure the search is done right.

“We have to move fast but we have to move smart,” Theodore said.

Theodore said he hasn’t spoken with many students on the search, but the students he has spoken with said they’re looking for someone who can make sure NIU has money and is effectively managed. Theodore said from his perspective NIU needs someone who can address issues like student enrollment and university finances. He said the next university president should try to restore credibility to the university given the allegations of misconduct among some employees in the past year.

“With all the stuff that has been going on, we have fewer and fewer students who feel their money is being spent confidently,” Theodore said.

Senior communications major Chaniqua Bryant said the next university president should have the best interest for students, and make sure they are comfortable and safe.

“Just better convenience the students,” Byrant said.