The University Record, February 20, 1996
Regents meet with search consultant
By Rebecca A. Doyle
Regents Shirley McFee, Rebecca McGowan, Deane Baker, Laurence Deitch and Philip Power met last Wednesday with Malcolm MacKay of Russell Reynolds Associates, the firm retained to help find a new president.
A document prepared by Marilyn Knepp, director of academic planning and analysis, was received gratefully by the Regents. The document summarizes remarks made during the nine presidential search forums held on and off campus in December and January.
Regents told MacKay that the Michigan Mandate and the Women’s Agenda, both initiatives begun by James J. Duderstadt during his presidency, are important to the University, and that they expect candidates for the position to be well-grounded in academic issues.
“Be creative,” Deitch said. “Look for a person with an unusual set of experiences that would be helpful in leading an institution as eclectic as this one is.”
The Regents have scheduled meetings of the Presidential Search Committee (PSC), a committee of the whole Board of Regents, for noon on Feb. 28 and at 9:30 a.m. March 1.
McFee, who co-chairs the PSC with Regent Nellie M. Varner, said she hopes the advisory committee can be selected at the FEb. 28 meeting is they can attend the March 1 meeting. The Presidential Search Advisory Committee will include representatives from faculty, staff, students and alumni. Provost J. Bernard Machen has received nearly 300 nominations for the committee.
