The Facts: The Chancellor Search Committee is hosting a series of forums today to determine the qualities the faculty, staff and students want in the new chancellor. The meeting, which will be hosted at 3:30 p.m. in Stewart Theater, is an excellent opportunity for students to weight in on the debate.

Our Opinion: Students should attend and participate in the chancellor search forums. There are several attributes that the committee must identify in any potential candidate for the position.

The Chancellor Search Committee will hold a series of open forums today to access the qualities the faculty, staff and students desire in the new chancellor.

The students’ forum is at 3:30 p.m. in Stewart Theater and is an excellent opportunity for students to voice their thoughts on the search and weigh in on the qualities they would like to see in the new chancellor.

The University has witnessed several positive attributes in its recent chancellors and a fair share of negatives — the following qualities are those the editorial board has identified as the most important for success:

Visibility

Marye Anne Fox was the most visible chancellor in N.C. State’s recent history. She excelled at accessibility and was known for her unexpected appearances — students could connect with her because she was around the action.

An ability to fundraise

Despite the inglorious end to James Oblinger’s tenure as chancellor, he excelled as a fundraiser. His connections brought money to the University in a manner that cannot be cast aside as irrelevant.

Accountability

Holden Thorp, UNC-Chapel Hill’s chancellor, called for a review of the university’s administrative functioning. Despite the results, he realized the value of the efficiency review. This sort of accountability — especially during the budget crunch — is crucial for NCSU’s next leader.

Execution

The ability to deliver on your promises is essential to any public figure’s success, this especially holds true for a university chancellor. Failing to execute your promises can reward you with a name like “Status Quoblinger.”

Credentials

Chancellor Jim Woodward served 14 years as UNC Charlotte’s chancellor before coming to the University on an interim basis. This level of experience should be a mandatory prerequisite for any of the committee’s candidates.

Transparency

Woodward has taken the University from a period of immense secrecy into the light over the last couple months. The University must strive for this level of transparency — its leader must exemplify these qualities.

Humility

NCSU has a proud tradition of putting its nose to the grindstone and working hard. As a land-grant institution we have always emphasized the needs of others over our own personal gain. If nothing else, the new chancellor must always put the needs of the students over his or her own personal gain.