Board adopts presidential search and recruitment plan

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The University of Oregon began the search for its next president with a vote of the Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon.

Trustees voted to adopt the recruitment process, which establishes a search committee and presidential search advisory group, outlining roles and responsibilities for each.

“Appointing a president is one of the most important responsibilities of the board,” said Chuck Lillis, board chair. “The next president will help lead the UO into an exciting new phase. Given the UO’s new governance structure and changing market conditions, this search will be different from past efforts.”

The search committee is made up of 14 members, including:

  • Four UO trustees
  • Two UO vice presidents
  • Two UO faculty members
  • Two academic leadership positions
  • One president of another Oregon public university
  • Three at large members

The 12 to 14 member advisory group represents the breadth of UO stakeholders both on campus and in the greater community. The advisory group will assist the search committee in its efforts to solicit input on key characteristics of an ideal candidate and ensures that diverse voice of UO stakeholders are represented in the final interview process.

Among the search committee’s first orders of business will be selecting a search firm to assist with identifying, recruiting and evaluating possible candidates.

“The role of the president at a dynamic, leading university, like the University of Oregon, requires high caliber candidates with multifaceted leadership skills,” said Connie Ballmer, trustee and chair of the search committee. “Partnering with a search consultant will lead us more quickly to a top-tier pool of candidates.”

The search will be confidential, but will have opportunity for public input, especially as the position profile is finalized. Ballmer said a confidential search will provide candidates greater opportunity to candidly explore the UO, and help the university recruit from the broadest and best pool.

“This search represents a tremendous opportunity for this university and I believe the process adopted by the board today sets the stage for success,” added Lillis.

To provide additional information and updates about the process, the Board of Trustees website includes a web page dedicated to the search for president. VIsit the website at trustees.uoregon.edu/presidentialsearch.

—By Tobin J. Klinger, Public Affairs Communications