The search for a new University vice president and treasurer has already gotten underway and a search committee, comprised of a range of Wesleyan’s faculty and administrators, has been formed. While Interim Vice President and Treasurer Jim Dresser’s bid for student suggestions is appreciated, the role of students in selecting
such a consequential position should amount to more than just token imput.

The Vice-President and Treasurer oversees aspects of Wesleyan that directly impact students, such as investments and budget management, faculty hiring, facilities construction and development of technology at the University. In fact, all administrative action ultimately affects the student body in some way. With a Vice-President and Treasurer position influencing such a significant section of our
University, it is essential that students’ opinions be weighed with the rest.

However, hundreds of emails from all kinds of students covering a variety of concerns would only dilute their claims. For this reason, it is necessary that those members of faculty and staff involved in the search process invite students to play an integral and
effective role in the selection decisions.

While the ability and good intentions of the present search committee is not in doubt,asking them to see from the perspective of a student is not practical. Students also must do their part by informing themselves about the impact of a new administrator and discover the extent or limit that their voice has been given.