he Presidential Search Advisory Committee Tuesday will narrow approximately 46 applications down to 12 to 15 finalists in Eastern’s search for a new president.

The committee will then begin checking the finalists’ reference, committee chair Bob Manion told Eastern’s Board of Trustees Monday.

The committee last met Jan. 7, at which point it had received 30 applications. After the committee completes reference checking, the it will meet Feb. 11 to select the top 10 candidates and begin off-campus interviews.

Starting Feb. 27 and continuing through March 1, the committee will pick 3 to 5 favorites for further interviews on campus. Those interviews begin the week of March 18, the first week of class after spring break.

By April 4, the committee hopes to submit reports to the BOT detailing the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate and is aiming to have a recommendation by April 9.

Manion, a member of the BOT, suggested the committee meet jointly with BOT sometime after April 9 in a special meeting to finalize the appointment and prepare to announce the new president.