As USF begins its search for its new president, Faculty Senate President and Board of Trustees (BOT) member David Simmons said he’s feeling hopeful.

“I’m excited and hopeful that the candidate we’re going to see is going to blow us all out of the water,” Simmons said.

Students, faculty and staff can contribute to the presidential search in different ways, such as voicing their wants to BOT representatives and at campus events. 

As USF looks for its next leader, student government (SG) and Faculty Senate representatives said it’s important for community voices to be heard during the process. 

President Rhea Law announced on Feb. 17  she will be stepping down from her role. She will remain in the position until a replacement is found.

The 15-member presidential search committee recommends a list of final candidates to the BOT, which then selects a president-elect. The selection must be confirmed by the Florida Board of Governors, according to Board of Governors regulation 1.002. 

The search committee includes faculty members, such as Vice President for Research and Innovation and electrical engineering Professor Sylvia Thomas. One student, Alexa Grubbs from the Judy Genshaft Honors College, will also be part of the committee. 

Although they do not serve on the search committee, student body president Suryakanth Prasad Gottipati and Simmons may still vote on the final candidate as members of the BOT. 

They will only be able to cast a final vote if they are still serving in their roles at the time of voting. Gottipati’s term ends at the end of spring 2025, while Simmons will continue as Faculty Senate president through August 2026.

Their successors will cast the vote if their terms end before a decision is made.

Gottipati said while casting a final vote can be seen as exciting, it is also a “responsibility.”

“The leadership of the university will decide the next few decades of the university’s future, so it’s a pretty big responsibility,” Gottipati said.

Related: USF BOT extends Rhea Law’s contract until new president steps in

He said trustees can also suggest candidate names to the search committee based on student and faculty expectations. 

“We can definitely pass suggestions to the committee,” Gottipati said. “That’s what we can do.”

USF spokesperson Althea Johnson said the presidential search committee will hold its first meeting March 27. People can attend the committee’s public meetings as well as BOT meetings, according to USF.

Student body vice president Sumit Jadhav said students can share their opinions with SG during office hours, through Microsoft Teams or by phone. 

“Any opinions brought forward to us, we will ensure are heard by the right people,” Jadhav said.

He also said students can listen to or attend BOT meetings to stay informed.

Gottipati said having a student voice in the search, through the SG president’s seat on the BOT, is “important” since the university president’s role is to “serve” the students. 

“We know each and every thing about how the students feel,” Gottipati said. “I would say our representation helps in giving a lot of feedback to the search committee.”

Related: USF faculty discuss what a politician as next university president could mean

Trustee Simmons said another way in which the voices of USF community members can be heard is through “town hall meetings.” 

He said finalists “commonly” come to campus for interviews, where campus groups can hear from them and share feedback with the committee or the BOT.

“Folks should keep an eye out as the process moves forward to see those announcements about when those things occur,” Simmons said.

“On-campus meetings” with students, faculty and stakeholders as well as interviews with the BOT are part of the process for presidential finalists, according to Regulation 1.002.

In the 2022 search, finalists Rhea Law and Jeffrey Talley participated in livestreamed interviews with the presidential search committee. They were also expected to take part in “town halls” on USF campuses.

Spokesperson Althea Johnson said updates on opportunities for the community “to provide input” on the search will be posted on the presidential search website.

Related: USF takes next steps for presidential search

As the search continues, recent legislation may affect how future searches are conducted.

A new bill filed Feb. 28 would undo the 2022 law that made presidential applicants’ identities confidential until they became finalists and remove the requirement for the Board of Governors to confirm the university’s final pick. If approved, SB 1726/HB 1321 would take effect July 1.

Simmons said it’s important for the BOT to hear feedback from students, faculty and staff when making a final decision.

“USF belongs to all of us together in the state of Florida,” Simmons said. “We want to all have a voice in what that next step looks like.”

He said university community members can share their thoughts on the search with SG and the Faculty and Staff Senates.

“Using those shared governance structures that we have is a really good way to talk to one another, to think through the best way forward and get the best ideas on to leadership,” Simmons said. 

For Simmons, allowing input from the USF community during searches is “important” not only to help select the “best president,” but also to build community.

“It’s important for making sure we continue to feel like a strong community where everybody’s voice is heard and the value of different perspectives are brought together,” Simmons said.