Life hasn’t exactly been a vacation at the academic resort lately.

Though the current faculty and students are working hard to get through a rough spot, the uncertainty of life without a permanent president is likely becoming almost too comfortable for Alcorn State University.

The rocky road began in 2006, when President Clinton Bristow suddenly died on campus. Faculty and staff stepped up to fill in the gaps as the search for a new president began.

President George Ross was chosen, only to fall ill shortly after his first day on the job. Ross was unable to serve as president for more than six months, before assuming the position in full in January 2008.

In late 2009, Ross announced his resignation.

And for the last nine months, Alcorn has been in a bit of a holding pattern again.

Natchez’s own Norris Edney has stepped in as interim president, thankfully, but Alcorn needs permanency.

Tuesday, students, faculty members and other stakeholders had a chance to talk with those who will be involved in hiring a president.

The Alcorn community outlined its goals for a new leader — a student-focused, strong leader who understands Alcorn and wants to stick around for a while.

That sounds like a great description, and it came from the people who count.

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning has a stringent process for hiring a university president, and that process includes collecting opinions from those at the school.

It’s a smart move by the IHL, and a good move for the academic resort.

The school is four months from away from the next major announcement regarding the presidential search. Hopefully that announcement will be reason to relax.