Feather Publishing has learned that Feather River College President Ron Taylor was one of four candidates to attend a public forum in Merced June 5. According to an article in the Merced Sun Star, Taylor is in the running for the chief executive position at Merced College.

The Merced paper reported Taylor told those present at the forum that he has been through fiscal and accreditation challenges similar to those Merced faces.

FRC currently awaits results from its recent accreditation visit, due out by mid-July. The college continues to struggle with budget cuts and revenue deferrals spanning the last three years.

In an email to FRC employees dated June 7, Taylor wrote: “I was urged to apply for the presidency of Merced College, and did so.”

His email reminded employees of his earlier promise to tell them if job prospects elsewhere became serious, writing, “Well, this is getting serious.”

Board members, faculty and staff from Merced College will visit FRC Monday, June 11, for a site visit. Site visits are used to “vet” a candidate’s abilities as an administrator.

Reached by telephone June 8, Taylor confirmed his Merced candidacy, saying, “It was not without soul searching that I even considered doing this (applying for the position).”

In response to questions about his reasons for considering leaving FRC, Taylor said, “FRC is far enough along that it’s going to do pretty well, even with some things still to do.”

Taylor also confirmed that FRC trustees have been aware of his application to Merced for about three weeks.

Taylor thought Merced could make a decision in the next week. His contract with FRC requires 60 days’ notice; however, Merced officials hope to have a new president on board by July 1.