In the coming weeks, UTM will begin the next phase of the search for a new Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. The process is likely to include open forums for students to attend and hear what each of the nine candidates have to offer to improve students’ collegiate experience.

As the names and qualifications of the candidates has not been released to protect his or her current employment, we make these endorsements without a bias toward a particular person. We support the candidate who sees all student organizations, not just a handful of sororities and fraternities, as an asset to our university. The “total collegiate experience” isn’t just a marketing ploy, but what we strive for.

We support the candidate who strongly believes in fairness and equality. This encompasses fairness within the division of Student Affairs and fairness to each individual student. Recognizing diversity as our strength should be a high order.

We support the candidate who recognizes the importance of an editorially independent student press. Court cases and vindictive university administrators across our nation threaten the very fabric of the protections we’ve relied upon for decades.

We support the candidate who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Traditions are only worth perpetuating if they are traditions of excellence. It is time to end the “sacred cow” syndrome when approaching tough problems.

Above all, we support the candidate who puts students first – before budgets, before politics and before his or her personal agenda.

We call on all students to have their voice heard on these and other issues as the open forums are scheduled.

We need a vice chancellor that we can all get behind to lead the Division of Student Affairs.