By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-966830.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – When Eli Capilouto was named Sunday as the preferred candidate to become the next president of the University of Kentucky, his job interviews didn't end there. He also faced several forums with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and political leaders. Brenna Angel reports on the impression Capilouto made on some of the campus community.
When Eli Capilouto, the provost at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was introduced this weekend as the UK Board of Trustees' top presidential finalist, it was the first time many people in Lexington had heard of the man.
Faculty, staff, and students came ready to ask questions of Capilouto at a series of presidential forums on Monday.
"What is your understanding and perception of the university's Top 20 Plan?"
"I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about any experience you've have with land grant universities."
"How would you extend the outreach of the university?"
"Can you please explain how committed you are with reducing inefficiencies within the university to control rising tuition costs and still have money for campus improvements?"
Other questions focused on athletics, faculty recruitment, healthcare, and advising first generation college students.
Dr. Steve Yates, a professor in UK's chemistry department asked about infrastructure, saying there needs to be new construction of academic buildings.
"He didn't promise me anything that he couldn't deliver. And so I think his answer was probably the answer I would give. It's important but I think he does have to look at priorities on campus and I'm sure this is one of the first things he's going to be involved with."
But Dan Rowland, a faculty member since 1974 and the recently retired director of the Gaines Center for the Humanities, was not entirely satisfied with Capilouto's talk.
"What I didn't hear was ideas that he has for engaging the university as an institution at all the different parts of it, not just the medical center. But humanities - I'm a historian - or the arts, and engaging them in community service."
Capilouto has been credited as a good listener. There were a few times during the forums when he turned the questions around.
"Why don't you answer that question for me? I'm serious. You know tell me about the way you see it here."
The preferred presidential candidate also used that listening technique on student Patrick Johnson. - He's a junior majoring in natural resources and environmental sciences who asked Capilouto about the university's use of coal and his overall priorities. Their exchange got a little awkward.
Johnson: "You still didn't put..."
Capilouto: "And you hadn't either. You gave me education and energy. Come on, you could be here one day."
Johnson: "I understand that but the forum is to understand where your priorities lie and we would like to hear that."
Capilouto: "There there are a multitude of priorities."
"Actually I felt he was in a hard spot not being in the job, not being here long enough to understand just the basic operations at the university," says Michael Adams, a facilities coordinator for the Biology Department and a member of the Staff Senate. "Each university's going to be different. It's like each company is different if you're looking at the corporate level."
Capilouto did not offer a lot of specifics to certain questions, but Adams says he expected that.
Capilouto himself said he doesn't yet have the answers to satisfy everyone. He said his strength in answers is interacting with faculty, staff, and students.
And even without those specific answers, the UK Board of Trustees has put its trust in Capilouto. They voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon to make him the 12th president of the University of Kentucky.