Student and faculty speculation has existed for months regarding the career plans of Vice President for Student Affairs William W. Harmon. Just last week, however, Harmon visited Ohio State University as a finalist in the Columbus, Ohio, school's search for a new vice president for student affairs.
On April 10, Harmon traveled to Ohio State to speak to a small group of students, parents and faculty members about his credentials for the position.
"Basically, he came [to Ohio State] to say, 'this is what I have to offer,'" said Susan Totterdale, a fourth-year Ohio State student who attended the event.
Harmon declined to comment yesterday about possibly leaving the University but said he "hopes to know something more in about a week."
Many Ohio State students, however, were convinced that Harmon is taking the opportunity appreciably, Totterdale said.
"If he wasn't serious about [the position], why would he have come all the way to Ohio State?" she said.
Harmon was appointed as the University's vice president of student affairs in August 1994. Although his official term at the University is scheduled to end this summer, the length of his term can change at the discretion of University President John T. Casteen III and members of the Board of Visitors.
A search committee chaired by Bobby Moser, dean of Ohio State's college of food, agricultural and environmental sciences, presented Harmon and two other finalists to Ohio State President William Kirwan.
The committee chose Harmon because, like each finalist, he met expectations that committee members outlined in their draft of a profile for the position, said committee member Eric Busch, Ohio State assistant vice president for student affairs.
A final decision on the candidates will be reached this summer.
Harmon is the first of three finalists to visit Ohio State and begin an interview process to replace the school's former vice president for student affairs, David Williams.
Bill Hall, Ohio State's interim vice president of student affairs, and Mitchell Livingston, the University of Cincinnati's vice president of student affairs and human resources, are also candidates. The search committee still could name a fourth finalist.
Harmon addressed Ohio State's Academic and Diversity Plans to increase funding for academic programs and promote racial and ethnic diversity. Ohio State wants someone committed to diversity.
As vice president for student affairs, Harmon oversees many aspects of student life, including the Office of the Dean of Students, the University Judiciary Committee and other student activities.
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