The Memorial University Students Union says members are “disgusted” and “shocked” that MUN has decided to go with a hybrid search process for the next president.

In an update posted to the MUN Gazette over a week ago, the University announced that the search committee will be going with a hybrid search which they argue will protect the confidentiality of candidates while giving the university community the opportunity to participate in the short list process.

Various groups, including students, staff, Senate members, and Board of Regents members will be invited to discussions with candidates at the final stage of the competition, and provide feedback to the search committee for consideration in the selection process.

MUNSU argues that process is “extremely closed off” in comparison to the Dean and Vice President searches, in which finalists are announced publicly and are asked to give public presentations.

The union says that “lack of transparency” is a “a sign of the University’s continued refusal to listen to students, faculty, on-campus unions, and the university community as a whole. “

Devon Budden, the MUNSU Director of Advocacy, says there is “no reason all students should be deprived of access to information that will directly affect them and their peers for years to come.”