DEAR EDITOR:

The confidentiality statements that each participant in the YSU presidential search was required to sign are flawed. They go beyond what has been explained as the purpose of conducting a confidential search process.

The confidential search was intended to protect identities of the applicants, so their current employers would not know they were applying for a job elsewhere. This was designed to allow the most qualified people to apply for the presidency.

Why then do the confidentiality statements also mandate secrecy about the search process itself? Discussing the search process would not divulge the identities of the applicants. All this does is shield and protect the board members and others directing and conducting the search process from having their actions scrutinized.

The chairperson should immediately release all of the individuals who signed the confidentiality statements from any prohibition on speaking about the process. If the process was, in fact, conducted legitimately and in good faith, no one should have any concerns about what would come out, and the community would certainly be more satisfied.

Despite the clamor and backlash from a disappointed, disenchanted and angry community, all that has been said about the process and the appointment is “trust us.” It is not about trusting the people, it is about trusting the process. The community has supported the university in the past and wants to continue its steadfast support.

This type of secretive action sows doubt as to whether the university cares what the community thinks.

The community might actually demonstrate such trust if those involved in the process were able to talk about how the process was conducted and if all actions were appropriate.

Please, YSU board, release everyone from the confidentiality statements and allow them to speak as to the process.

By the way, where are the board minutes reflecting any action taken by the board to authorize the mandatory and questionable confidentiality statements in the first place?

If the board did not authorize the confidentiality statements, what right did anyone have to require anyone else to sign them? Are they even binding and enforceable?

WILLIAM WEIMER

Youngstown