"A search advisory group will be created to assist the Board of Trustees in finding a new college president, the board decided at its regular monthly meeting last week.

In addition to the 11-member Board of Trustees and interim President Ray Kieft, the group will consist of one adjunct faculty member, three faculty members selected by the Faculty Senate, one classified staff member chosen by the Classified Staff Council, one administrator chosen by the Administrators' Council, one member of the Foundation Board of Directors, one member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and one student.

Lynn Córdova a junior political science major and vice president of student organizations for the Student Government Assembly, has been chosen as the student advisory group member, student Trustee Harris Singer has announced.

"Lynn Córdova matches all of the criteria beautifully," Singer said. The SGA has approved her appointment.

While the final decision on determining finalists rests with the Board of Trustees, the advisory group will receive all materials related to the search and will be invited to attend and participate in all Board of Trustees meetings in which the search is discussed.

In addition, the Board continued discussions on selecting a search firm. Two firms were interviewed, including Academic Search, which was interviewed last month as well. Academic Search was allowed a second interview so that Alfredo de los Santos, Jr., who would be the primary contact, could attend. "The goal of the search is to not only find a president but to help launch a successful presidency."

The other interviewee was Richard Phillips, owner of Phillips International, an executive search firm that specializes in corporate and financial services executive searches. A 1974 graduate of Metro State who has recently returned to the Denver area, Phillips has offered to conduct the search for free.

Following the interviews, the Board decided to issue a request for proposals to solicit additional search firms. The formal RFP process will allow the cost of the presidential search to exceed $50,000. A draft of the RFP has been prepared and is expected to go out in the next week. General Counsel Lee Combs told the Trustees that potential search firms will have 30 days to respond, and it will probably take another 30 days for the Board to review proposals and conduct interviews.

Choosing a search firm is the "second most important decision this board will make," said Board chair Bruce Benson, while reiterating that selecting a new president is the most important decision.