Paul Yu, one of two finalists for the San Jose State University presidency, spent a marathon 10 hours on campus Tuesday, meeting with a range of groups. Yu, 62, has been president of the 8,500-student State University of New York's College at Brockport since 1997, his first presidency. The other finalist, Richard S. Jarvis, visits the campus Thursday.

A visiting candidate spends a large chunk of time responding to questions. Here are some questions that were put to Yu, and his responses. Some were edited for brevity.

Q What makes you think you would be a good match for this university?

A One, my experiences have really been very similar to what the future president of San Jose State will need. The system, SUNY (State University of New York) is very comparable to CSU (California State University) -- two very large, very complicated public systems. The colleges are very similar, except, of course, San Jose is considerably larger. But the spread of programs is really quite similar, so I'm thoroughly familiar with what it takes to run an institution like this. With its many resources, one thing San Jose State doesn't have is a master plan or a strategic plan for its future. And I think I have demonstrated that I've been particularly good at leading SUNY Brockport in terms of planning success. That's why in six years we have been able to turn the institution around.

Q Some faculty members say that participation in Division 1A football does not support San Jose State's core values. How would you deal with that?

A That is a highly complicated issue with lots of ramifications. There is no simple formula for dealing with it one way or another. My view about football is, yes, it is not a core academic value. On the other hand, because we are a large complicated institution that has certain affinities with regions and communities, we have to take a larger picture. One of the larger realities of our current climate is that resources are hard to come by and we really need the help of the community on all fronts. And even the most rabid critics of sports are willing to acknowledge that sports casts a giant shadow in terms of community spirit, support and appreciation.

So it's not something you want to undertake lightly by taking any sort of drastic action one way or another. I think there's no doubt, given what I've heard, that sports deserves very careful study for whoever becomes president. But measured steps are probably the best approach.

Q What in your personal background has prepared you to lead such a diverse campus?

A A lot of things, but I would certainly point to one thing: The fact that I am an immigrant helps. When I went for a similar interview with SUNY Brockport, I was asked by a faculty member, ``Can you handle adversity?'' I had to kind of smile and said, ``Look, I am an immigrant; in fact, I am a refugee. And you're asking me whether I can handle adversity? Yes, I can.''

I think there is a persistence, a will to succeed -- or a will not to fail -- that is very important among immigrants, shared by all of them. And I think I have that. That's probably one of the most important qualities I have -- the will not to fail.

Q What is the No. 1 reason you would be interested in coming to San Jose State?

A I think I have a lot left in terms of building up an institution and helping an institution achieve success. And I see just incredible potential in San Jose that is not yet realized. I don't want to go to a place that is already perfect because then, what could I possibly do? So I don't think San Jose is perfect. I don't think San Jose claims to be perfect. But what it does have is this enormous potential.