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News

Auburn awaits Gogue's return 

President only candidate to visit campus publicly; 
vote Thursday could seal the deal with alma mater

by KELSIE HAHN
The Daily Cougar

UH President and UH System Chancellor Jay Gogue, the sole finalist in Auburn University's search for a new president, is scheduled to attend public forums and meetings at the Alabama school today and Thursday.

The visit comes in anticipation of a meeting of Auburn's presidential search advisory committee at 3 p.m. Thursday. After gathering and analyzing public feedback through the course of Gogue's visit, the committee will vote on whether to recommend him to the Auburn's Board of Trustees, committee member Cindy Brunner said, adding that she expects Gogue to receive a warm reception from the university.

"He seems to be a good listener," Brunner said. "He seems to be really interested in communicating effectively with the campus, and I expect all those traits will serve him well. I'm hoping they'll be as impressed as (the committee was)."

Brunner added that the committee would take public feedback into consideration during their final vote.

"This is not a done deal," she said. "We're going to take people's comments seriously."

The final decision on whether to approve Gogue for the position falls to the Auburn Board of Trustees, the university's governing body, which will convene at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Although other candidates were compiled into a short list for the job, Gogue was the only one willing to visit Auburn publicly as a potential match for the position, as required by Alabama's Open Meetings Act of 2005, Brunner said. None of the other candidates were willing to go public regarding their interest in the position without a guaranteed position.

"In higher education these days, if you are a sitting president of a major institution, or hold a high-level position, if word gets out that you are considering employment at another institution, your job can be threatened," Brunner said. "We on the search committee came to realize how serious that was for candidates to be going public, and the commitment that they were making in doing that."

Brunner said a candidate's commitment to their current institution may be called into question when it becomes known they are seeking another position.

"It's a pretty serious business," she said. "Personally, I'm thrilled that Dr. Gogue was willing to consider this position, that he was willing to meet with the search advisory committee and that he was as interested in the position as he appears to be. He has a very strong background, and he appears to be a really nice match for Auburn University."

UH System Board chairman Leroy Hermes said the Houston community would want Gogue and his wife Susie to stay, but recognizes he has gained a valuable opportunity.

Hermes said if Gogue is offered the position and accepts, the Board of Regents will consider its next step at a meeting April 3.

Gogue declined to speak with local media at this time. He has served as UH President and UH System Chancellor since 2003.

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