presidential search restarts from scratch
After finding neither of the UNH presidential candidates a fit with the university community, the Presidential Search Committee decided to go back to the drawing board, dropping both candidates and continuing the search.

In early November, the committee narrowed a field of 80 candidates to two: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research at the University of Colorado System, Dr. Jack Burns, and President of the University of West Florida, Dr. John Cauvanaugh.

But when the candidates were brought to campus in early December, neither one was able to meet the demands of “campus constituents,” said chairman of the Presidential Search Committee, Edward Dupont.

“The decision was made as a result of feedback from the campus,” said Dupont. “It was a hard decision to make, but we really felt after the two visits we were not ready to stop at that point.”

A mutual agreement was met between the search committee and the candidates that neither candidate would fill the position.

“After some soul searching, the candidates decided UNH was not for them and withdrew their names,” said Student Body President and committee member Sean Kelly.

A press release from the University System of New Hampshire Web site stated the continuation of the search will not interfere with plans to have a new president in place for the beginning of 2007-08 academic school year. Also, Interim President  Bonnie Newman will stay until the next president is selected.

The presidential search began in June after President Ann Weaver Hart announced she was leaving UNH for a position at Temple University. Thirteen individuals with different responsibilities at UNH formed a search committee, which hired a search firm that has since pooled 80 applicants for the position.

Starting in September, the committee began evaluating select groups from the larger pool. Eventually they selected two candidates, Burns and Cauvanaugh, to visit both the Durham and Manchester campuses.

Both candidates spent two days at each location, participating in large and small group meetings as well as public forums, allowing students, faculty, administrators and members of the community to grill the candidates on relevant topics.

Even with two final candidates selected to visit campus last December, the committee continued to review applicants.
“When we selected those candidates,” said Dupont, “we were still looking. That process did not end when we brought those candidates to campus. We were still working with additional candidates.”

To have all the divisions of the university, including the students, faculty, people of Durham and the state, meet the finalists face to face is paramount in any final recommendation the committee made and will make in the future, Dupont said.

“It is part of the process to bring candidates forward to campus,” he said. “The next phase is for the campus to meet the candidates so the community can give input and the committee listens to what folks say.”

Kelly, the only student member of the committee, would like to see a candidate that puts students first.

“As an individual, I would like someone that’s student-friendly, with a student agenda at the top of their list,” said Kelly.
After winter break, Dupont and the committee are ready to continue to search for possible candidates from the initial 80, as well as new applicants. As of now, the committee has not made any final decision on which candidates to bring to campus next.

—Kristine King

afternoon fire strikes Murphy’s Tin Palace

At approximately 2:45 p.m. yesterday afternoon, employees at Ocean National Bank on Main Street called the fire department when they noticed flames and heavy smoke emanating from the roof of Murphy’s Tin Palace next door.

Durham Fire crews were on the scene in minutes, backup arrived soon after from Lee and Dover, and the fire was under control within half an hour.

All patrons and pub staff got out safely and there were no reported injuries.

According to Durham Fire Chief Peter O’Leary, the fire started in the kitchen and traveled quickly through the hood vents to the flat roof. Three sprinklers went off. The building suffered extensive smoke damage and water damage from the sprinklers and hoses.

The insurance company and building department will determine the final estimate of damages.

—Matt Sanderson

high times remain at UNH

A movement focused on decriminalizing the use of marijuana is topping the agenda of the New Hampshire legislature’s 2007 session.

Here at UNH, the marijuana culture is alive and well, and all one needs to do is read the weekly police blotter to find that out.

According to the UNH student division of student and academic services crime statistics for the last three years, drug abuse violations have steadily risen from 77 in 2003 to over 170 in 2005.

The proposed law has helped to highlight a sizeable community of smokers at UNH who just don’t seem to see what all the fuss is about.

“I smoke all the time at this school, and it just doesn’t make any sense why people would try to stop what I’m doing,” a UNH junior named Andrew said. “The smokers at this school form a real community and I think it’s unfair for people to attack a group of people who promote laughter and friendship while enjoying themselves.”

While Andrew and many of his fellow students feel they are promoting a culture of camaraderie, one prominent local law enforcement figure feels differently.

“Marijuana use at UNH has been consistent for many years and is the illegal drug of choice on campus,” UNH Deputy Chief of Police Paul Dean said.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy states that marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, and according to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 97.5 million Americans aged 12 or older have tried marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, representing 40.1 percent of the U.S. population in that age group.

—Alexander Plummer