With the Nov. 1 cutoff date for applications for the Missouri Southern presidency in the rear view, the 41 applications received, are being reviewed by the selection committee.

“We did have several [applications] coming in right at the end,” said Sharon Odem, secretary to the president and Board of Governors.

The committee, comprised of administration, faculty, one student and members of the community, met last Tuesday and will meet again Nov. 12 to continue the selection process.

“We have some very good applicants,” said committee chairman Dwight Douglas. Applications will not be re-opened and the 41 applications currently on file fill the candidate pool.

Committee members have been reviewing the applications privately over the past months and now must examine their individual capabilities to meet the challenges the University will face over the next five to 10 years.

Previous discussion included the possibility of the ‘finalist candidates’ being in an open meeting. Michael Kennedy, faculty representative on the search committee, said ” the idea is still valid.”

There has been no confirmed timeline announced for the selection of finalists. The original projection for the selection of the new president was the fall of 2008.

“We are still shooting for that time frame,” Douglas said.

Douglas said upcoming appropriations recommendations would not be a factor in the speed of the selection committee’s decision.

“The board is strongly supporting Dr. [Terri] Agee, and we feel no pressure to complete this because of the current situation,” he said.