Greeks keep searching

After offering the Greek adviser position to two candidates — and being turned down by both… After offering the Greek adviser position to two candidates — and being turned down by both — Pitt’s Office of Human Resources has reopened the national search to “anyone who is eminently qualified.”

The two candidates who were offered the job came to Pitt several weeks ago for interviews, in which they met with a number of Student Life leaders and student leaders in the Greek community. But both candidates declined the offer, according to Associate Dean of Student Affairs Birney Harrigan.

Harrigan did not name the candidates or explain their reasons for declining the position, but she said the University would continue to search for an adviser until one is found.

“Our aim is to recruit a diverse pool, from which we select the most qualified candidate,” Harrigan said, explaining that Pitt follows a standard procedure of placing position advertisements “in publications with high readerships of majority and minority candidates.” Student Life will also consider qualified applicants from within the University, Harrigan said.

Pitt has been searching for a Greek adviser since former adviser Anita Triggs resigned and left her position in March, and Harrigan said that she hopes to see a new adviser in place as soon as possible. In the absence of a Greek adviser, Harrigan has taken over the adviser’s responsibilities.

The Office of Student Life reviews all applications and extends interview invitations to select candidates, Harrigan said. At the end of the semester, Pitt received about 20 applications, according to Interfraternity Council President Steve Mihlfried. Last month, three candidates were invited to come to Pitt for interviews, though only the two who ultimately declined the position accepted the interview opportunity, according to Mihlfried.

Once the candidates came to Pitt, they met individually with members of an interview team that includes Harrigan, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Students Jack Daniel, Student Government Board and College of General Studies Student Government adviser Joyce Giangarlo, Student Volunteer Outreach adviser Terry Milani and Director of Residence Life Deborah Furka.

Student leaders from Pitt’s three Greek governance groups were also given an opportunity to privately interview each candidate.

The Office of Student Life drew criticism last year when Triggs was selected in June 2003, without student review, several months after Greek leaders reviewed a collection of applicant packets that did not include Triggs’ application. Pitt administrators explained at the time that Triggs’ application was received after the students had reviewed applications.

Despite Triggs’ brief time at Pitt, Harrigan said she does not believe a student review of Triggs’ application would have led to a different outcome.

“One of the things in that search was that Anita had emerged with much more experience,” Harrigan said, explaining that Pitt administrators had wanted a “seasoned professional in the field.”

According to the position advertisement posted by Pitt, applicants must have a master’s degree and at least two to five years of experience as a student adviser, and preferably as a fraternity and sorority adviser. The salary for the position, according to the ad, is proportional to a candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Although Harrigan said, when Triggs resigned, that “we have to be cognizant that we’re an urban institution,” she said an applicant need not have experience at an urban school.

Students’ opinions are important to Student Life, not only in the search for a Greek adviser, but in all things, Harrigan said. She does not anticipate that the students’ opinions of any candidate will differ greatly from the opinions of Student Life leaders, but she said she would evaluate each response if they did.

“I think we’re basically all on board with the positive changes that we want to bring about,” Harrigan said, adding that there was a consensus among interviewers after the last round of interviews.

The application deadline for the position has been set at June 30, 2004, but Harrigan said that they would evaluate applications as they receive them.