The search for the next San Diego State president continues. Members of the search committee are traveling to Calexico Tuesday to learn what students and faculty at the university’s Imperial Valley satellite want in a president. They are invited to a public forum 10 to 11 a.m. in the campus library.
Daniel Valdez is a senior studying criminal justice and vice president of the student government there. He said his classmates are looking for a president who can add classes — morning classes are rare on the 1,000-student campus — a business major and longer library hours.
“We believe that that is very important, because sometimes (students) don’t have a computer at home, they don’t have enough money, and they need somewhere to study and do their homework,” Valdez said.
He said students also want better security, a recycling program and a gym. And he said he hopes the new president can forge a better connection between the campuses.
“A lot of things we do, they have to be approved by San Diego, and sometimes we’re kind of left on the back burner,” Valdez said.
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One thing the new president should not change, Valdez said, is “definitely the home feel. Like, in criminal justice, you’ll have the sheriff or former sheriff teaching classes, a judge teaching classes. And it’s that real close connection.”
A similar forum was held on the San Diego campus Sept. 25.
Two search committees — one made up of California State University trustees and the other of SDSU stakeholders — will use the feedback to narrow down the search. The trustees will make the final decision, which is expected early next year.
Former president Elliot Hirshman left SDSU to head Stevenson University in Maryland. Sally Roush is filling in until a replacement is named.
