A student committee is providing input on the hiring of the University new senior vice president of Communications by conducting interviews with the three finalists for the position, according to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter French.The University received 20 applications for the position, French wrote in an e-mail to the Justice. The three finalists are also being interviewed by University President Jehuda Reinharz, trustees, the Faculty Senate Council and senior administrators, he wrote. He declined to provide specific candidate information out of concern for candidates' confidentiality.

Former Senior Vice President of Communications Lorna Miles left the position in July to work for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. French wrote in his e-mail that the post is expected to be filled by the end of this fall.

Student Union President Andy Hogan '11 wrote that the six-member student committee was formed after many senior administrators, including Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy, became concerned about including student input in the selection process. "The committee was formed recently with students that represent all different facets at Brandeis and most of these members have experience in communications," Hogan wrote. The members were selected by Hogan, who declined to provide the name of one of the committee members because he or she did not wish to be identified.

Five of the six committee members are Student Union Director of Communications Sydney Reuben '10, Union Vice President Amanda Hecker '10, Union Director of Academic Affairs Supreetha Gubbala '12, Union Executive Senator Jenna Rubin '11 and Hoot staff writer Emily Maskas '11.

The student committee conducted one interview last week and is scheduled to hold another two this week, Reuben said. In an e-mail to the Justice, Hogan wrote that the committee members are provided with the candidate's résumé earlier in the day so that they can prepare relevant questions for an hour-long interview. The impressions formed during the interviews are passed to Chief of Staff of the Office of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Arlene Carey, Reuben wrote in an e-mail to the Justice.

"Input from all those who interview candidates, including the student panel involved in interviewing candidates for the Senior VP for Communications position, is taken into account by [University President Jehuda Reinharz], to whom this position reports and who will make the final decision in this search," French wrote.

Eddy wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that although she had been in contact with Hogan about student involvement in the hiring of the senior vice president of Communications, she "called [Hogan] very late in the process after finding out the interview schedule for the first candidate."

"I had less than 24 hours notice, so unfortunately [Hogan] had less," Eddy wrote.

French wrote that in the past, students have been involved in interviewing candidates for senior positions within the Hiatt Career Center and the Admissions office.

"We are searching for the right candidate for this important position, and the criteria for that include the ability to work well with students. Input from students themselves is helpful in our efforts to assess candidates in this regard," French wrote.

"A senior VP for communications will represent the University in every respect. A university belongs to its students-students have to be involved with this search," Eddy wrote in an e-mail to the Justice.

Hecker, who was approached by Hogan to be on the committee a few days prior to the first candidate interview last Wednesday, said, "I am really proud that Brandeis allows students to get involved in [the hiring process]." She added that "it really shows that the administration is reaching out to students, that we are a community and that we are all involved in what affects Brandeis."

Rubin said that she was also approached by Hogan a few days before the first interview was scheduled to take place. She stated that Hogan did not provide her with a reason as to why she was selected to be a part of the committee. Rubin commented, "The [first] candidate had some good ideas that I thought would be useful." Nevertheless, she added that she was a little underwhelmed by the first candidate and looked forward to interviewing the remaining two finalists.