Florida State U. Senate Rebukes Consultant Over Presidential Search

Florida State University’s Faculty Senate voted no confidence on Wednesday in William Funk, the chief consultant in the university’s search for a new president, one day after the rocky search was restarted, reports the Tallahassee Democrat.

The committee charged with the search had put it on hold while it interviewed State Sen. John Thrasher, whose candidacy was perceived by some to be discouraging other applicants. But after other prominent figures, including a justice of the state’s Supreme Court, came forward, the university reopened the search and postponed the interview with Senator Thrasher.

Mr. Funk is head of R. William Funk and Associates and one of the most prominent consultants for presidential searches nationwide. Along with its no-confidence vote for Mr. Funk, the Faculty Senate voted to call for an application deadline of early September. The search committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.