Eastern is looking for a new general counsel to replace Robert Miller, who accepted a job opportunity at a different institution.  

Eastern Provost Jay Gatrell said advertisements for the position have been posted on recruiting venues as well as Eastern’s website and a search committee has been created to select candidates from a “diverse pool.”  

He said they will be reviewing applicants next week and will call in those who are the most competitive and fit the job description.  

Though a date is not finalized, Gatrell said there will be open sessions for the community to interview the candidates.  

Gatrell said the date when these sessions will happen depends on the pool of candidates and how many need to be reviewed.  

“We want to make sure candidates are outstanding,” Gatrell said.  

The goal is to hire a candidate by the start of the Fall 2018 semester.  

Gatrell said they are looking for experienced candidates who understand the university’s goals, mission and priorities as well as someone who understands the higher education legal environment such as handling Freedom of Information Act requests or labor contracts.  

“We will find someone who is equally skilled (in comparison to Miller),” Gatrell said.  

The News staff can be reached at 581-2812 or dennnewsdesk@eiu.edu.