NIU President John La Tourette faced strong faculty opposition and was forced to change his position at Wednesday’s Faculty Senate meeting when he announced his decision on whether to have an internal or external search to fill two vice presidential positions.

La Tourette announced his intention to conduct an external search for the provost position, but met faculty opposition when he suggested instead of a search for a new vice president of Development and Alumni Affairs, he should just nominate the current acting vice president to the post.

“I see the position as an administrative staff appointment,” La Tourette said in justification for his suggestion to conduct no search.

He said people involved in fundraising are most effective when they have had time to build up contacts.

“Speaking to people across the country (involved in fundraising for universities), fundraising is usually successful only when contact is maintained over a period of at least 18 months,” La Tourette said.

Many faculty senators did not agree with La Tourette’s argument.

Linda Sons, professor of mathematical studies, argued La Tourette’s proposal went against the University Constitution and Bylaws.

“I have serious questions about that, John,” Sons said.

Sons pointed to article 17.3 of the University Constitution and Bylaws, which says in part, “The usual procedures for recruitment and appointment of academic administrators and vice presidents shall involve a search committee.”

She argued this provided justification for a search.

Richard Dowen, associate professor of finance, said, “I object to this entire procedure. Should the Faculty Senate just endorse what he (La Tourette) wants?”

A motion introduced to support the president’s proposal refused to garner a second, ensuring faculty disapproval.

As faculty discontent became increasingly apparent, La Tourette made a reversal of his initial position, saying, “Let me withdraw (the proposal) and conduct an internal search.”

In surrendering to the opposition La Tourette stressed that in his opinion the search should be conducted quickly.

“I’m very concerned that there are all kinds of considerations to affirmative action and the bylaws and constitution, and that unless we move quickly ahead on this, we will be severely embarrassed in 1995 (NIU’s centennial),” La Tourette said.

La Tourette’s decision to conduct a national search for provost was much better received.

The FS had expressed reservations during its last meeting about La Tourette’s request to keep the search for both vice president positions internal. Many senators were pleased he heeded their advice and a potential crisis in shared governance had been avoided.

“The issue for me was, would the president see the provost as essentially the chief academic officer of the university who had special ties to the faculty, and therefore the faculty should have special input for the criteria—although not the selection—of the candidates,” Robert Suchner, associate professor of sociology, said.

La Tourette said he decided on an external search for provost, despite what he said was widespread support for his position, because he valued faculty interests.

“I think it’s a decision that has particular interest on the part of the faculty. It’s a faculty leadership position, so I thought that in order to basically validate the search process that it would be better if we went externally,” La Tourette said. “I think it would give a stronger base of support to the person that is selected.”