To get public comment on the Central Oregon Community College presidential search, the college’s board is inviting residents to a series of public meetings throughout Central Oregon.

College officials said they hope the meetings provide a forum for community members to discuss their perceptions of the college and what kind of new president they want.

”We want people to genuinely feel they have been asked and consulted in the process of deciding what we’re looking for in a president and what we should be doing because we are a community college,” said John Rhetts, the chairman of the board. ”We wish to be responsive to our constituents.”

President Bob Barber announced earlier this year that he would retire after leading the state’s oldest community college since 1990. He was the third president in the college’s 53-year history.

Anyone interested in attending the meetings is asked to contact the college spokesman, Ron Paradis, at 383-7599 or rparadis@cocc.edu. General feedback about the presidential search can be sent to feedback@cocc.edu.

Monday, Dec. 1:

-Madras

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce

274 SW Fourth St.

-Redmond

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Pacificorp Training Room, MATC-COCC Redmond Campus

-Redmond

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Pacificorp Training Room, MATC-COCC Redmond Campus

Tuesday, Dec. 2:

-Prineville

7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Sandwich Factory (upstairs) 277 NE Court St.

-Bend

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Bend Public Library – Brooks Resources Room

601 NW Wall St.

-La Pine

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Old Library (L-CAT office)

Coach and First Streets

Wednesday, Dec. 3

-Sisters

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Chamber of Commerce

164 N. Elm St.