TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - State Senator John Thrasher met with staff, faculty and students today to try to convince them he is the best candidate to become the next president of Florida State University.
Senator Thrasher is one of four that made it to the final round for the position. Many consider him a favorite to become the next president of FSU.
Thrasher says funding is one key issue facing Florida State, and his relationship with the legislature will help the university get more money to grow the school.
Faculty members have been some of the most critical of Thrasher's candidacy, saying he lacks the academic background to run a major university.
Kerr Ballenger is the president of the FSU chapter of the Graduate Assistants United Union. He says Thrasher gave no real answers to tough questions Monday.
"I think that he should have better answers for some of these questions, and have a plan going into office," said Ballenger. "If he does have a plan, then he really didn't get that message across today."
Thrasher says everyone is entitled to their opinion, but he thinks he has what it takes to run the school where he received his undergraduate and law degrees.
"There's going to be criticism in any kind of position like this," said Thrasher, "but to me as long as it's constructive criticism, and my core values and beliefs are at least listened to also, I'm okay with that."
The other three candidates vying for FSU's presidency will follow a similar schedule throughout the rest of this week. The university's Board of Trustees is expected to make a final choice next week.
