The likely line up, or get out of line, as the case may be

With the search committee for President Shapiro's successor fully assembled, the next step now becomes naming candidates for the position.

But for weeks already, students, faculty and alumni at large — in campus groups, in dining halls and on e-mail lists — have been assembling applicant pools of their own.

And the usual suspects keep coming up.

Harvard President Neil Rudenstine '56 and Smith President Ruth Simmons H '96 have been mentioned. Even Bill Bradley '65 and President Bill Clinton have been tossed around as possibilities, though Bradley said in an interview earlier this month he would not consider the position.

Though members of the search committee have not yet released the names of potential candidates, the pool likely will comprise members of academia, political figures and corporate officers.

Yet, despite the expanding list of choices, University alumni and students maintain that an active understanding of Princeton and its unique relationship with alumni is crucial.

In a presentation for alumni in Richardson Auditorium on Saturday, a panel of university presidents joined Shapiro to discuss the challenges facing higher education in the next century. Upon the conclusion of the symposium, Shapiro thanked the panelists for taking time out of their busy schedules to come to Princeton.

The group of leaders included Simmons, Rudenstine, Cornell President Hunter Rawlings GS '70, Columbia President George Rupp '64 and President of the University of Chicago Don Randel '62 GS '67.

Responding for the group, Randel said he and his colleagues could not refuse the invitation to appear at Princeton, likening a return to the University to responding to the call of one's mother.

These panelists represent the wealth, ability and dedication of University alumni in the world of academia. Randel, still in his first years as the University of Chicago's president, said he would be happy to share his advice with the selection committee, but asserts he would not agree to be considered as a candidate.

"There is no possibility that I would be the next president," he said. "Princeton is a wonderful place, but I can't imagine any circumstances where I would accept."

Simmons, a seasoned administrator, served as University associate provost in the early 1990s. Despite her experience at Princeton, Simmons said in an interview Saturday she "very seriously doubts" that she is being considered for the position.

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"Princeton is a great place and there are so many great people that they have access to," Simmons said, adding, "No, I haven't been asked."

Aside from these university presidents, Princeton also has many talented administrators in its own backyard.

One of the most prominent groups is based in the University Provost's Office. The office historically has been a launching pad for the careers of many successful administrators, including past presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and Smith College.

"The provost's office has a really strong history of administrators continuing on to positions of increased responsibility," said University Associate Provost Georgia Nugent '73. "You get to work with just about everything. It provides a very solid background in administration skills."

Whether the selection committee considers these national figures or members of the University administration, the candidates who are chosen likely will have a strong relationship with Princeton.

"I personally think it is essential. This is a place with a very deep tradition," Nugent said. "Drawing on the rich community of the University will be essential for the next president. It is important that the president have some type of visceral connection to the University through life experience."