Or maybe it's not a 'real' meeting...

I heard from a reliable source this evening that a note went to the Search Advisory Committee today stating that the meeting tomorrow is a conference call. If this is the case, then this is quite odd for several reasons: 1. Why did the website state earlier this week that the meeting was a conference call that would originate in 208 Turnbull, but on Wednesday the language on the website changed, now stating that a public meeting would be held in 208 Turnbull? There's a huge difference there. I doubt anyone would look at the current language on the Presidential Search website and think that the meeting would be by conference call. 2. So if it is a phone meeting, that means that the public will be there, but the Committee will not. What kind of meeting is that? 3. This is even more curious because the agenda was posted this evening and includes public comment. Seems odd to stand at a microphone to address a Committee that isn't actually present. 4. If you were at the last meeting or watched it streaming, you know that the sound quality was quite problematic, and as such, we couldn't understand what the Search Chair and other members of the Committee who dialed in were saying. That makes for a very difficult and confusing meeting.

To be frank, I don't know what to expect tomorrow. It may actually be a hybrid meeting like last time with some Committee members in the room and some on the phone. With such a large Committee, I suppose it is inevitable that some would need to call in, but when many are on the phone, it makes for an awkward meeting. Seems to me a smaller committee would have fewer issues.

The lack of communication between the Committee and the FSU community is a major issue, one that I think needs to be addressed immediately. To expect stakeholders to consistently monitor the website for information is problematic. The last minute posting of agendas is another concern. But, all of this means it is even more important for stakeholders to attend the meeting so that it is clear to everyone involved that we are still watching.