BATON ROUGE - The search for the next president of LSU officially began Tuesday morning with a meeting among the search committee. 

The agenda for the Aug. 19 meeting included an explanation of the role of the presidential search committee, headed by the LSU Board of Supervisors' Scott Ballard, the role of the consulting firm hired to aid in the search, an overview of the search process and how it will proceed and a review of the public meetings and records laws. 

The meeting's agenda ended with a look forward to next steps in the search, but what those next steps would be were not immediately clear. 

LSU students told WBRZ they are hoping their next leader not only caters to their needs but also represents all students. Freshman Joe Michael Palmer said he is looking forward to the selected president being of a diverse background.

“Just because you are a diverse hire does not mean you’re losing quality because up until a couple generations ago, people of color have not had an actual chance of having a platform,” Palmer said.

LSU Professor-Emeritus Robert Mann said the makeup of the search committee does not reflect the diversity of the institution, making it a concern for both students and faculty members. 

“They got a search committee made up mostly of white men, and they’re going to find what any group of white men are going to find which is another white man," Mann said. "If that person is the most qualified person then great for the university and great for the new president."

The search committee is made up of several members appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry. Mann said he hopes the committee will select the most qualified candidate, but he fears political views may interfere in the process. 

“The fact that the governor has expressed his desire to run this university — micromanage this university in many ways that the best person is never going to apply for this job because the person is not willing to work under those circumstances,” Mann said. 

Several students, like freshman Claire Pray, acknowledge the campus as a melting pot and believe it is important to have people of different backgrounds as part of the selection committee.

“I think a variety in a search team is important for having a president and having a president that can effectively represent many groups of people and being able to serve them well enough to serve the students on campus,” Pray said.

Altogether, students said they just want their leader to be approachable.

“Whoever they are is just a great person and wants the best for us, and just has a listening ear and just ready to hear what the students have to say,” said freshman Arielle Exil.

Matt Lee is currently serving as the university's interim president. 

You can find a full list of the search committee here. 

LSU is searching for a new president after William Tate abruptly announced he would be leaving the university staff in May.