The Alabama State University presidential search committee last night voted unanimously to forgo selecting a search firm to find its next president. The announcement raises questions about confidentiality and how thorough the search will be to replace Joseph Silver, who was fired after less than six months as ASU president.

“We’ve learned from our experience that the kind of person we’re looking for may not necessarily filter through a firm,” (Trustee Marvin Wiggins) said. “The leader we’re looking for, we’re going to have to go get them.”

Governor Robert Bentley, President of the ASU Board of Trustees, suggested that any search without the aid of a firm will be less than robust. According to the AL.com report, Alabama State attorneys have also cautioned against the unaided search, which may deter potential applicants whose interest would normally be outside of public record laws, but will now be open to information requests of the committee.