It's round two in the search for San Jose State University's new president, with two strong finalists on deck and a second chance for students and the community to get involved. Back in November, the first round ended with the office still empty when the California State University Board of Trustees declined to appoint any of the three finalists recommended by two committees.

SJSU students and the community will have the opportunity to put both finalists to the test -- and they should take advantage of it. Candidates will take questions in separate public forums on campus tomorrow and Thursday (see the accompanying chart for details).

And officials at California State University will be listening.

``The campus visits are an important part of the overall process. They allow for the exchange of ideas and fulfill the principle of consultation with the campus community and the community at large,'' CSU Chancellor Charles Reed said.

Reed said he'll ask each member of the selection committee for feedback on the forums, and pass their comments along to the CSU Board of Trustees as part of the decision-making process.

The two finalists -- Richard Jarvis and Paul Yu -- are both veteran administrators and educators with solid credentials. Although the process this time is virtually the same, some of the key players are different. There are two new members on the local selection committee, who replace two members who could no longer serve. They are Koichi Nishimura, former president and CEO of Solectron, and Armando Garcia, president of Bottlesoft, a software company. Both attended San Jose State University.

And this time around, there's ethnic diversity in the mix. That's important at a campus where almost 60 percent of its students are Asian, Latino or African-American, and in a community where diversity is one of its strongest assets.

The CSU's Board of Trustees will interview both candidates on April 19, and a decision is expected on April 20. This week's forums provide an opportunity to help shape the university's future. It's up to you to make the most of it.

MEET THE CANDIDATESThe two finalists for San Jose State University president will take questions during two public forums this week.

• Paul Yu will speak Tuesday.

• Richard Jarvis will speak Thursday.

• Both sessions will be from 10:15- 11:15 in room 189 of the Engineering building at San Jose State University.