Iowa State has narrowed a wide field down to four candidates in its search for the first permanent director of the Department of Residence since the last left the post in July.

Todd Holcomb, interim director of the Department of Residence, said the four candidates will undergo an interview process before an ISU search committee makes its final recommendation to the Board of Regents in two weeks.

Holcomb said the candidates’ ability to deal with students will play a critical role in the committee’s recommendation.

“We’re looking for an individual who is student-oriented,” he said.

Holcomb said the position will be filled no later than July 1. He said he will then return to his position of associate vice president for student affairs. Budgetary issues caused the delay in naming a permanent director, he said.

The director, he said, maintains overall responsibility for the university’s residence system, including all on-campus housing and apartments, and represents the housing system when dealing with prospective students. The decisions made by the director impact about 31 percent of Iowa State’s student enrollment, he said.

Ginny Arthur and Pete Englin, both ISU employees, are in contention for the position, as well as two candidates from outside the university.

Arthur has served as associate director for residence life since 1996. She has held the position of interim manager for administrative services for the Department of Residence since 1993. In fiscal year 2004, she earned $88,534.

Pete Englin has held the position of dean of students since 2000. Previously, Englin served as associate dean of students, coordinator of residence life and marketing, and conferences coordinator for the Department of Residence. In fiscal year 2004, as dean of students, Englin made $92,000.

Former residence department director Randy Alexander made $96,000 when he came to Iowa State in 1996.

Jane Grassadonia, director of residence education at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Jim Zentmeyer, associate director of residence life for Bowling Green State University, are the other two candidates.

Darryl Knight, associate director of facilities management for the Department of Residence, said he hopes the permanent director will have more time to deal with issues affecting the department, like declining enrollment.

“The biggest advantage I see is having someone commit all their time to the Department of Residence,” Knight said. “I’m hoping that whoever the new director is, they are someone with a lot of vision and direction.”

Members of the Government of the Student Body are working closely with the university in the selection of the new director.

Rohini Ramnath, GSB director of student affairs, said she will attend the interviews with the candidates and plans to work closely with the new director.

“I’m looking for someone with new ideas,” Ramnath said.

“The Department of Residence has the opportunity to take significant steps forward or stay where it is.”

Ramnath said the new director will play a major role in Iowa State’s efforts to retain students.