Charge to the Presidential Search Advisory Committee

Background

Selection of the University President is the statutory responsibility of the Board of Trustees ("Board"). In discharging this responsibility, the Board seeks the assistance and advice from the faculty, staff, students, other constituencies and friends of the University. Accordingly, we are inviting nine persons to join four members of the Board to form a Presidential Search Advisory Committee ("Committee"). The Committee is comprised of individuals committed to the advancement of the University. The members bring diverse expertise, perspectives and experiences to the common task of advising the Board in the evaluation of candidates for president of the University.

There will be considerable work requiring evening and weekend meetings. However, those who have served before have found it rewarding and manageable. Staffing will be provided and the Committee's efforts will be supported by a professional search consultant.

Charge

The Committee is to advise the Board as to the qualifications and characteristics the next president should possess. After consultation with the Committee, the Board will develop criteria to be used by the Committee in evaluating candidates.

Within the timeframe established by the Board Chair and Committee Chair, the Committee is to submit to the Board a list of all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications along with the Committee's unranked recommendation of three to five candidates for final interviews. For each of the recommended candidates, the Committee is to provide a written statement explaining why he or she is considered to be suited to be president of the University.

In carrying out its duties, the Committee is expected to undertake the following activities:

• conduct a national search to enable the Board to consider a select group of highly qualified candidates;
• advertise the position by appropriate means;
• actively recruit candidates from a wide, diverse group of well-qualified individuals, including women, minorities and non-traditional applicants;
• maintain records of all nominations and applicants;
• screen applications using the criteria established by the Board;
• provide appropriate information about the University to the candidates;
• keep the candidates apprised of their status in the search;
• interview and conduct reference checks on all recommended candidates;
• ensure that the process is conducted with integrity and in compliance with all applicable laws and University policies.

The Committee's role is strictly advisory to the Board. The Committee is not authorized to act on behalf of or exercise any of the powers of the Board.

The Board Chair and the Chair of the Committee are the only persons authorized to engage in public communication concerning the search. The Chair of the Committee is the only person authorized to engage in public communication on behalf of the Committee.

Meetings of the Committee are not required to be open to the public and should generally be held privately.

The Committee and its members are required to maintain strict confidentiality during and after the search.

The Board thanks the members in advance for devoting their time and considerable talents to the task of advising the Board concerning the evaluation of candidates for the president of the University.

--Approved by the Board on the 14 day of December, 2007