Our View
By HDN Editorial Board
Montana State University-Bozeman President Dr. Geoffrey Gamble has a decision to make, and the people of this community can help him make it.
Gamble came to Montana State University-Northern last Friday to find out what people at the institution and in the area want him to do to permanently fill the chancellor position at Northern. Alex Capdeville, the current chancellor, is only guaranteed the position until July 1, 2002.
People from the community and the university showed tremendous support for Capdeville and requested that he be appointed chancellor permanently.
Capdeville has already taken steps to work towards improving the university. He has had the situation at Northern analyzed during a feasibility study, is promoting improving student life on campus and increase enrollment, and has started taking faculty, students and staff on recruiting tours. He has spent much of the last few months talking to the Montana Legislature on behalf of Northern.
People at the meeting Friday said the work he has done has already improved the attitude and morale at Northern. The point was also made that it's difficult to maintain any kind of momentum when the leadership changes every couple of years, with new ideas and priorities coming in.
Northern needs and deserves the best leadership it can have in this time of budget difficulties and changing economic and educational conditions. Capdeville has shown he is not working as an interim chancellor; he is not biding his time for two years until a permanent chancellor is chosen.
We at The Havre Daily News support giving Capdeville the permanent chancellor position, if he is willing and interested in doing so. His plans and ideas need time to come to fruition.
Gamble said that no decision has been made how to proceed to fill the position at Northern. He said that while he was impressed with the support shown for Capdeville, he wants to give the people of the community a chance to let him know their ideas and opinions.
We urge the people in the community to let Gamble know what they think about the situation. His mailing address is MSU-Bozeman President Dr. Geoffrey Gamble, PO Box 172420, Bozeman MT 59717-2420; e-mail: president@montana.edu
