Levi Brandenburg
Contributing writer
lbrandenburg1@murraystate.edu
Breanna Harris
Contributing writer
bharris17@murraystate.edu
A forum was held on April 9 for faculty regent candidates to explain why they should be elected.
Candidates for faculty regent include Bassam Atieh, Katherine Farmer, Kemaly Parr, Melony Shemberger and Paul Walker.
Candidates answered questions from the audience.
“Why are you uniquely qualified to be faculty regent?”
Atieh: “I am uniquely qualified to be a faculty regent because I listen, I am persistent and I have great enthusiasm.”
Farmer: “I am uniquely qualified because I am taking the time to develop the relationships, I have the experience, I have put forward efforts to listen, and I understand what faculty needs and I’ll try to make the emphasis with the board through my tenure as faculty regent.”
Parr: “I am uniquely qualified to be a faculty regent because I am a hard worker, I like to listen and be able to be that voice.”
Shemberger: “I am uniquely qualified to be a faculty regent because I believe in ideals of transparency. As a journalist, we seek to have a lot of information made available to the public. That means that you, the faculty, will be my number one concern.”
Walker: “I am uniquely qualified to be a faculty regent because I am never afraid to speak my mind. I never have been. I’m never afraid to share what I am thinking.”
“For the current regent: What is it that you will do in the next three years that hasn’t already been done? For those running for the first time, What was lacking that compelled you to seek this position?”
Atieh: “I will be all ears to the faculty. I will listen and I will take the faculty’s concerns into account.”
Farmer: “The first few years had been a struggle to get transparency and understanding from the administration. With the new administration, I can truly say the faculty have more of a voice.”
Parr: “I think transparency with the faculty so that we know we are communicating clearly and then rolling with the punches as a faculty unit. So listening well and communicating well is key.”
Shemberger:“Open communication is something I really value. If we are really in a process of fighting for better incentives, better benefits and making sure that faculty are the number one asset of an academic institution, then I need to share with you what is going on with the board.”
Walker: “I think that now is the time to really look at what we as faculty can do to be the best that we are.”
Voting will end on April 11 at 11:59 p.m.