“We need an open and transparent search process involving faculty,” Chestek told the Star-Tribune in April. “The reason we got the mess we had with Sternberg is because it was a closed process. I think the trustees have learned that doesn’t work.”

Also speaking earlier this week before the list was released, UW student body president Wilkins was similarly confident in the search and said he was pleased that students would be included in the process.

He’s joined on the committee by his predecessor, Mulhall. Representatives from UW’s student government previously proposed two resolutions related to Nichols’ departure. One praised her legacy at the university, while a second — sponsored by Wilkins — criticized the board as acting “in a manner inconsistent with the values” of the student government. The latter resolution was not adopted by the body.

The student government has raised transparency concerns in the wake of the Nichols decision. Mulhall — who, as ASUW president, was a nonvoting member of the board — was entitled to attend executive session meetings. But in March, a few days before the board informed Nichols that she would not continue as president, Mulhall was told she could not attend them, she previously told the Star-Tribune.

After he took over as president, Wilkins said he rejoined the meetings in the spring, which he took as a “good sign.” He told the Star-Tribune earlier this week that he was “very hopeful in the future of UW, and I am eager to see the search committee get to work.”

Follow education reporter Seth Klamann on Twitter @SethKlamann

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Seth Klamann Education and Health Reporter Seth Klamann joined the Star-Tribune in 2016 and covers education and health. A 2015 graduate of the University of Missouri and proud Kansas City native, Seth worked for newspapers in Milwaukee and Omaha before coming to Casper. Follow Seth Klamann Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today