While much has been made about UNM men's basketball coach Fran Fraschilla's resignation and rumors about his possible replacement, the University faces a much greater test as it quietly gears up for another presidential search.
An institution known for bureaucracy and poor decision-making can ill afford to fall into the same trap that gave the University an indelible black eye four years ago. The Board of Regents initiated a search process that was compromised by closed-door interviews and the appearance that it had already made up its mind, relegating the process to a perfunctory dance performed to appease the public.
But the regents were caught at their own game and, worse yet, were too foolish to admit they were wrong, further alienating citizens' confidence in the state's flagship university.
Outgoing President Bill Gordon had a lot convincing to do when he was finally appointed by the Board of Regents to lead UNM. As he heads out the door, the regents must embrace the task of selecting the next president while reassuring the community, which is skeptical about the interests the board is serving.
Adding honesty and integrity to the upcoming presidential search would go a long way toward healing old wounds. At the same time, citizens must stand up and play an active role in the process.
So while the rest of the state sits around guessing who will replace Fraschilla, the UNM community would be better served by keeping an eye on who becomes the next coach's boss and holds the keys to the state's future.
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Lobo basketball may be king in the Land of Enchantment, but education of its citizens should still trump all other cards.
Iliana Lim¢n
Editor in chief
