The University Record, October 8, 1996
Regents announce process for final phase of
presidential search
The Board of Regents, acting as the Presidential Search Committee (PSC), has announced the final stage of its search for the 12th president of the University.
The search process enables finalists for the presidency to meet with faculty, staff and students, and provides for public deliberations and interviews by the Regents.
“The Regents believe that this process will allow for careful consideration of all candidates for the presidency and for the selection of our next president,” says Regent Nellie M. Varner, co-chair of the PSC.
The timetable to be followed by the PSC is as follows:
Monday, October 14
The PSC will meet at 9:00 a.m. in an open meeting. Joining the Regents will be Jeffrey Lehman, chairperson of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and dean of the Law School, and Malcolm MacKay of Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc., the consultant hired by the Board of Regents to assist in the presidential search.
Lehman will publicly present the names of five candidates recommended by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, which individual Regents will have received the previous day. Along with the individuals’ names, Regents will receive their curricula vitae, published papers and other materials relevant to the candidates’ qualifications.
In addition, Regents will receive the names and positions of all individuals who applied or were nominated for the presidency. Approximately 325 people were considered by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee.
All materials distributed to the PSC at the meeting also will be given to members of the media.
Lehman and MacKay will review for Regents the process and criteria used by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee in recommending the five candidates. They also will answer any questions raised by members of the Presidential Search Committee.
In the afternoon the Regents will individually review the contents of all applicants’ and nominees’ materials, as well as confidential evaluations by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. Lehman and MacKay will be available to meet separately with individual Regents to answer questions about the materials.
Tuesday, October 15
The Presidential Search Committee will meet to review applications. The meeting will be closed.
The Michigan Open Meetings Act allows a public body to conduct a closed session to review job applications if an individual has asked that his or her application materials be considered in confidence. Regents are prohibited from making a decision in a closed meeting. Lehman and MacKay will again be available to answer questions about the materials.
Wednesday, October 16
The Presidential Search Committee will meet to consider and adopt a list of finalists for the presidency. The Regents may consider names other than those recommended by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. The meeting will be open to the public.
Thursday, October 17, and following
Finalists will begin visiting campus for a series of meetings. Each candidate will be invited for a day-and-a-half, including an overnight stay.
While on campus, each finalist will:
Be interviewed by the Presidential Search Committee. The meeting will be open to the public.
Meet with members of the University community and the general public in a town meeting setting.
Meet individually with interim President Homer A. Neal; Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs J. Bernard Machen; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Farris W. Womack; and other executive officers as requested by the candidate. The meetings will be private.
Attend an evening social function with a mix of invited guests.
If requested by the candidate, meet separately with Regents.
If requested by the candidate, meet with any other individuals.
Date to be determined
At the conclusion of the candidates’ campus visits, the Presidential Search Committee will meet to determine its next steps.
