Chancellor Beggs has decided to retire after over 20 years of service to SIUC. As his last day approaches, it seems that the race is on. A host of individuals will make their way to Carbondale in the course of the semester to interview for the position, which will undoubtedly lead into a series of debates about the responsibility of the new chancellor.

Although a goal to accomplish is important, what is more pertinent is the philosophy that the goal is built on. Chancellor Beggs’ immense commitment to SIUC has left many to wonder if the new chancellor can retain those qualities while creating new ones.

What needs to be remembered is that the job of chancellor is more than implementing new policies. It is representing the University and the student body as a whole.

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With that in mind, the title of chancellor is a much deeper and important role than most might think.

The incoming chancellor should be aware and ready to respond to several things.

SIUC and Southern Illinois have a history that is looked at with pride. The new chancellor should be willing and ready to respect that history when implementing new policies, and a conscious attempt should be made to retain SIUC’s uniqueness — to push SIUC forward without molding the school into something that it is not.

SIUC is a Carnegie II Research Institution, and that status should be retained without neglecting the needs of students.

A university’s blood is the students. Without them the institution might as well not exist. Chancellor Beggs made it a point to have a hands-on approach to dealing with students. The incoming chancellor should be aware of the success to this approach. Caring for the students may require a chancellor that is willing to put themselves on the line with the Board of Trustees if an idea is unfavorable with students.

The faculty also requires a amount of attention, so the chancellor must be willing and able to work with the faculty union in hammering out specific contracts.

The position of chancellor is a twisted maze of responsibility. It stretches far past the boundaries of the University. The relationship with students is important, but the relationship with the surrounding communities is also important. A chancellor must able to juggle all these complex issues and not just gloss over them. A chancellor must be able to nurture diversity, while maintaining a historic image. And a chancellor must be able to raise money to support all of these ideas.

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In the long run, the new chancellor needs to have dealt with a variety of issues, and it can be guaranteed that a variety of issues will be raised in the selection process.