Last week the Board of Regents decided to open the search for Murray State’s next president to the public in the final stages after the search committee previously debated having a private search.

In the absence of search committee chair Stephen Williams, Harry Lee Waterfield acted as chair pro-tem at the meeting and gave a report on the committee’s progress. Waterfield said Witt/Kieffer consultants had suggested higher-tier candidates would be more likely to apply if they were assured confidentiality – meaning a closed search.

The board’s plan is to bring two to four candidates to campus to meet with faculty, staff and student constituencies; at that time, the names of the candidates would be released.

Waterfield said the board would try to make a quick decision after the campus visits, and though he hoped for a fast decision, he still thinks the best candidates would apply for the job.

Board Chairman Constantine Curris suggested March 11-14, 2014, as possible dates for candidate interviews. The board decided it will attempt to have a final decision by June 6.

PADUCAH CAMPUS

The Board of Regents also approved the naming of the new Paducah, Ky., regional campus’s main building.

The Paducah location is scheduled to have students on campus and taking classes for the Spring 2014 semester.

It will be known as the Crisp Center in honor of the late Harry Lee Crisp, the founder of Marion Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, which today is known as Pepsi Mid-America.

Bob Jackson, associate vice president for institutional advancement, said the Crisp family donated $1.3 million for completion of the new building and other technological needs.

Crisp served 22 years on the Murray State Foundation board of trustees, retiring in early 2013.

The Board of Regents also approved the naming of Computer Services Inc. auditorium, which will be the main auditorium at the Paducah location.

The naming was the result of a $100,000 gift from the Paducah-based company.

PARKING

Kim Oatman, director of Facilties of Management, presented several parking proposals at the Board of Regents meeting last week.

He listed several options, detailed the cost and estimated revenue but noted several possible negative consequences.

The board chose not to endorse the option of making the Curris Center parking lot a gated lot, but said they would consider the possibility of increasing the fee for parking passes in the future.

Oatman said the regents have asked the staff to look at the subject of raising funds from parking as a part of the overall budget review process.

Story by Meghann Anderson, News Editor