Two University of Wisconsin graduate students were elected by the Associated Students of Madison to aid faculty and staff in their search for the next University of Wisconsin provost.
Kaja Rebane, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in land resources, agriculture and applied economics and a Ph.D. in environmental resources, and Frank Honts, a graduate student pursuing his master’s degree in educational policy studies, will represent UW students on the Provost Search and Screen Committee.
According to ASM media specialist Claire Lempke, the student government has been accepting applications since winter break. The two representatives’ impressive academic backgrounds and strong connections with undergraduate and graduate students contributed to their election, she added.
“I try to listen to other peoples’ perspectives and … (have) a desire to represent the entire student body, both graduate and undergraduate, and I will listen to a variety of perspectives during this search-and-screen process,” Honts said.
Honts added his background in education will also help him constructively participate in the search-and-screen process.
“This is such a collaborative process that really relies on people to come to the table, put their opinions out there and listen to other people’s opinions in order to come to good compromises and good decisions together,” Honts said.
The two representatives will join the 15 other committee members in search for four suitable candidates. The candidates will be presented to Chancellor Biddy Martin, who will make the final decision.
According to Rebane, students reserve the right to be involved in the decision-making process.
“It’s important for students to have a seat at the table and share decision-making,” Rebane said. “I’m definitely happy to be on the committee, and hope to do a good job because the provost is a very important position. … I hope to find people that are great.”
According to Lempke, the university is required to incorporate students in any major UW decision due to the “shared governance” rule.
Though this rule allows for student involvement in major decisions made by the university, students may contribute ideas but do not have any final say in the selection process.
Regardless, Rebane said she hopes to contribute in finding a group of candidates that will serve in the university’s best interest and understand the importance of the student voice.
“The things we’re looking for in a new provost [include] a commitment to shared governance, an ability to be both an excellent administrator and also have a sense of vision for the university, someone who’s good at the operation component of running a university … (and) someone who’s able to work well with all constituent groups across the university community,” Honts added.
Lempke said when ASM interviewed Honts and Rebane, they seemed equally enthusiastic to have been elected to the committee and are eager to represent the students of Madison.
According to Rebane, the committee hopes to have the provost candidates selected by the end of the semester.
