Do-over: CSU embraces transparency in latest search

Has something changed at Colorado State University in the wake of the secretive chancellor search that yielded one candidate and accusations of cronyism? The chancellor search that has so far generated campus protest petitions, a scotched state transparency law, an open-meetings lawsuit and an ethics-watchdog coalition backlash? Maybe.

The university today announced three applicant finalists for CSU Chief of Police. Note that: three finalists; not one. And that’s not all. The university has made the names of the applicants public so you can look into their background and qualifications. Also, the applicants are going to be asked to come to campus to meet with the CSU “campus and larger community” before any of the three of them are named Chief.

CSU announces more layoffs; chancellor salary to be announced

The Coloradoan reports today on the latest round of job cuts announced at Colorado State University. The university’s engineering department plans to slash 5 percent of its budget this year, or roughly $700,000. Among the cost-cutting measures, the department would eliminate six existing jobs and significantly shrink the rolls of teaching assistants, who conduct the lion’s share of lab sections at the school.

Today’s announcement won’t be the last of its kind from CSU. The university’s departments will be posting plans in waves over the next month as the university wrestles with record budget shortfalls.

Watchdog coalition demands CSU halt chancellor hire, wants search restarted

Three Colorado watchdog groups have joined together to demand Colorado State University rescind its decision to hire Denver Chamber of Commerce President Joe Blake as the university’s new standalone chancellor.

Blake skirted formal CSU chancellor search process, selected 6 days later

The Coloradoan today reports more evidence that the Colorado State University System board and Joe Blake likely violated state laws by meeting secretly to discuss his application for the chancellorship. Blake formally submitted his application for the position the same day of a closed April 29 meeting with the head of the CSU governing board. Blake, then-vice chair of the board, was named sole finalist for the chancellor position by the board a week later.

CSU board member says chancellor search process was flawed

The shadowy process through which the Colorado State University board came to nominate Joe Blake, its own vice chairman, for chancellor was a topic of concern even within the chancellor search committee itself and it was the motivation for the only no vote cast Tuesday against Blake’s candidacy.

Media law expert: Secret CSU chancellor meeting likely illegal

The search for Colorado State University’s first-ever chancellor has become positively Cheney-esque in its intrigue and now possible law-breaking by the Board of Governors.

Bob Moore at the Coloradoan has the goods on the selection of CSU Board of Governors Vice Chairman Joe Blake as its chancellor-finalist.

CSU board member Blake selected chancellor

The Colorado State University Board of Governors named CSU Board Vice President Joe Blake its sole finalist for chancellor on Tuesday just hours after Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer killed a bill he co-sponsored that demanded greater transparency in the state’s public university leadership appointments.

CSU chancellor search committee to make candidate recommendations

The Colorado State University Chancellor Search Committee has reportedly landed on either a preferred candidate or a narrowed list from a rumored 24 applications to fill the new top executive position. Except nobody knows for sure — the relative secrecy and speed of the process and the questionable timing have raised concerns among observers, faculty and students.

CSU chancellor search committee meets as House votes on university leadership bill

The Colorado State University chancellor search committee is meeting this afternoon to review a second round of roughly 12 candidate applications for the university’s new top spot. The committee reviewed a first set of about the same number of applications last month, according to CSU spokesperson Michele McKinney. So far, none of the names of the candidates for the position have been revealed.

University transparency bill advances in House, stoked by ‘rumors’ about CSU search

The Colorado House today voted to advance legislation introduced suddenly this week by House Majority Leader Paul Weissmann and Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer that calls for greater transparency in filling leadership positions at the state’s public universities. The bill faces a key second vote on Monday, so, as Rep. Weissmann warned, “The universities will be working hard this weekend to defeat it.”