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The FloridaStateUniversity president search is down to four finalists, and members of the campus community go their chances to interview the candidates today. As Matt Galka tells us, the state senator who has received the most heat was up first.

Staff, faculty, and students fired questions at Republican state Senator John Thrasher.  The lawmaker has been heavily criticized by many student and teacher groups for his background as a politician and not an academic.

Thrasher said he wants to work with his critics and compared it to politics.  The questioning also turned to other issues like his plans for the libraries, environmental action, and student unions.

The legislator expressed interest in talking with people who asked in greater detail, but those answers didn’t sway many in the audience.

Those answers didn’t sway many in the audience.

“He didn’t give any specifics, it’s really hard for me to think of any specific answers that he gave to this. Which politicians do often,” said FSU music professor Michael Buchler.

The school’s faculty senate, which represents about 2,000 members, officially came out against Thrasher last week. But it will ultimately be up to the school’s board of trustees.

Despite the criticism, Thrasher felt very confident with his chances going forward.

“I think I have the background to be president of FloridaStateUniversity, and I’m proud of where I am today, and we’ll see where we are a week from Tuesday,” said Thrasher.

Thrasher is the only finalist to have a non-academic background.  The campus community will have the same opportunity to interview the remaining three in the coming days.

Thrasher, who is also running for re-election for his state senate seat, would have to give up his position in the legislature if he ultimately got the president’s job.