The search to find the next provost of Kennesaw State University will not begin for the next six to 12 months or longer, KSU President Dr. Dan Papp said Thursday.

Meantime, the popular Dr. Ken Harmon, dean of the Coles College of Business, will continue serving as interim provost.

Kent State University's Dr. Timothy Chandler was named KSU provost in a Feb. 25 announcement, but after a research paper he authored came to light that was written in a Marxist slant, a public uproar ensued, prompting him to withdraw from the position on March 17.

The search committee that recommended Chandler as provost was chaired by Dr. Arlinda Eaton, dean of KSU's Bagwell College of Education

Papp said he has not decided whether the same people who served on the Chandler search committee will serve on a new one.

When asked if he was upset that Eaton's search committee never mentioned Chandler's controversial paper to him prior to the announcement that Chandler would be KSU's new provost, Papp said, "I would probably respond affirmatively to that."

The Journal also asked Papp what he has learned from the controversy.

"It has taught me that we need to be very aware of absolutely all aspects of any candidate's history," he said.

He said he couldn't answer what else could've been done differently.

"We're in the process of trying to put this behind us, and when we put this behind us and we have some time to think about it and discuss it, we'll be able to."

The Journal asked Papp if he believed it was acceptable for the No. 2 administrator in charge at KSU to hold the views Chandler expresses in his paper - such as ridiculing "Western" science, the idea of competition and capitalism, while asserting that the U.S. is the most violent nation state in history, among other things.

"The views expressed in Dr. Chandler's paper were his views and Kennesaw State is steadfast in its support of academic freedom," Papp said. "That's the cornerstone of any academic institution's ability for intellectual growth ... In the interest of academic freedom, I think it was appropriate that he expressed the views that he expressed. Whether that is appropriate for an administrator is another question," Papp said.

Given the controversy, Papp said Chandler's decision to remain at Kent State worked out for the best.

"His decision was guided by how effectively he felt he could fulfill the responsibilities of the provost in light of the external issues that were causing the distractions," Papp said. "I concurred with his decision. In the end I think it has all worked out for the best."