Provost candidate William Wehrenberg said if he were made provost, defining his legacy would be simple.

“One word & excellence.”

Wehrenberg addressed student concerns Monday in a forum hosted by the Student Association, which was attended by only 10 students.

The candidate fielded questions on subjects such as instructor evaluations, online education and campus diversity.

“I’ve always looked at higher education as a series of opportunities to open doors,” he said, discussing his experience as a student and professor. “The

educational experience is not a 50-minute lecture — it’s 24 hours a day.”

Wehrenberg is the dean of Clemson University’s college of agriculture, forestry and life sciences in South Carolina. His schedule of meetings continues today, and three other provost candidates will visit campus in early March, looking to fill the second-highest position at NIU.

He drew parallels between Clemson and NIU, such as campus diversity and improved retention rates. Clemson’s diversity is increasing, Wehrenberg said, and it’s equally important for NIU to maintain a diverse environment.

“To improve diversity, it’s real simple,” he said. “You have to be actively engaged and go after people.”

One student asked Wehrenberg about his stance on publishing instructor evaluations.

“As a student, I was comfortable with it, and as a professor, I would be comfortable with it,” he said. “With feedback you can grow.”

SA treasurer Troy Caldwell asked Wehrenberg how the university can improve the value of its degree, from a dean’s perspective.

“A lot of students don’t realize that the value of a degree depends on the reputation of the institution,” Wehrenberg said. He later mentioned the effect negative perceptions have on campus safety and the university’s reputation.

Wehrenberg said NIU President John Peters’ desire to market NIU requires the university to define its role in Illinois higher education.

“Does it want to be all things to all people in northern Illinois?” he asked. “The jargon we use is ‘niche.'”

Peters wants to “brand name” NIU, Wehrenberg said. To do so, NIU must emphasize its strengths, whether they be in the arts, sciences, general education or other programs.

Wehrenberg also mentioned the building of the arena.

“My first question is, who’s paying for it?” he said. “That’s who should control it.”

Another student asked what Wehrenberg would do to address high failure rates in math and sciences.

“I would never participate in ‘dumbing-down,'” he said. “If you go that route, the value of your diploma will go down.”

Wehrenberg said weaknesses in secondary education contribute to the problem, but students and professors are responsible as well. Sparking student interest in classes and supporting peer tutoring programs are ways instructors can help students improve.

“The faculty have to be part of the solution,” he said. “It can’t just be the student’s fault. I can take some of those students who failed and walk them over to another class, and they’d get an ‘A.'”

But students also must take responsibility, he said, suggesting students take advantage of tutoring programs.

Another student asked whether Wehrenberg would consider incentives to instructors for improving student success rates.

“One of the incentives has to be a characteristic of you as an individual,” he said.

Some questions echoed issues commonly discussed at last semester’s meetings of the President’s Task Force on Undergraduate Life and Academics, including campus safety. Wehrenberg said use of buses and late-night ride services could help, but the solution depends on the campus environment.

SA senator Mitch Star, a sophomore political science major, said he thought Wehrenberg answered the students’ questions well.

“My issues personally are crime and campus safety,” he said. “I liked his answers when I asked about the safety of students at NIU.”

Caldwell, a junior history major, said Wehrenberg seemed to have student interests at heart.

“I was very impressed with the way he was able to field the questions & the issue with student safety, and making sure students get a quality education while they’re here.”

Wehrenberg’s Schedule for Today

7:30 a.m. — Breakfast with Student and Academic Affairs directors

8:45 a.m. — Meet with staff from other divisions who work directly with the provost

10 a.m. — Meet with Development and University Relations staff

11 a.m. — Meet with advising and curricular deans

12:15 p.m. — Lunch with executive committee of the Faculty Senate

— 1:30 p.m. — Faculty Forum hosted by the Faculty Senate in the Holmes Student Center’s Skyroom (16th floor)

— 2:45 p.m. — Attend Operating and Professional Staff Forum hosted by the Operating and Supportive Professional Staff councils in the Skyroom

4 p.m. — Exit interview with the president

Meetings with bullets (—) are times when the campus population is encouraged to attend.