Chemeketa Holding Student/Public Forums For President-Search Suggestions

Last month, Gretchen Schuette, president of Chemeketa Community College since 2001, announced her retirement, effective June 2007.

Photo: Chemeketa Community College

(Salem) - The Chemeketa Community College Board of Education will begin accepting applications Jan. 3rd, 2007, for a new president to succeed Gretchen Schuette.

Before that time and throughout the process, it is important to us that there is participation and input from college employees, students and members of the community.

The first step is developing the job description and materials announcing the opening.

This is the first place where they need your help.

Between now and Dec. 15th, we will seek your suggestions regarding the qualities and characteristics students and employees believe are most important for the next president of Chemeketa Community College.

There are three ways to provide your suggestions about what qualities and characteristics the college should be looking for in the next president.

You may attend one of the student or staff forums we have scheduled, or you may submit your suggestions via email or by postal mail.

Alan Koch will facilitate the board’s work throughout the search process.

Either Koch or a member of the board will facilitate each of the forums which are scheduled as follows:

Student Forum, Salem Campus, 1:00 PM Wednesday, Dec. 6th, 2/170

Public Forum, McMinnville Campus, 3:00 PM Thursday, Dec. 7th

Public Forum, McMinnville Campus, 5:00 PM Thursday, Dec. 7th

Public Forum, Dallas Center, 6:00 PM Thursday, Dec. 7th

Public Forum, Monmouth/Independence, 6:00 PM Tuesday, Dec. 12th, site TBA

Public Forum, Woodburn Campus, 9:00 AM Wednesday, Dec. 6th, Room 110 C&D

Public Forum, Woodburn Campus, 6:00 PM Wednesday, Dec. 6th, Room 110 A&B

Public Forum, Santiam Center, 11:00 AM Wednesday, Dec. 6th

Public Forum, Santiam Center, 5:00 PM Monday, Dec. 11th

Public Forum, Salem Campus, 6:00 PM Tuesday, Dec. 12th

Comments sent by e-mail should be addressed to: presidentialsearch@chemeketa.edu

If you prefer sending your suggestions by postal mail, they should be addressed to: Board of Education, President’s Office, Chemeketa Community College, PO Box 14007, Salem, OR 97309.

A special board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18th, in the Board Room (Building 2, Room 170) to approve the president’s job description and the selection criteria.

There are several more steps and opportunities for input to complete the presidential search process.

Once applications close in March, applications will be screened, confidential interviews will be scheduled with a Search Advisory Committee, and those will be followed by board interviews.

Public forums will provide staff, students and community members the opportunity to meet the finalists.

The Board hopes to complete the selection process in May 2007.

The new president’s specific starting date is likely to be sometime during the summer.