Presidential Search - Search Process

Board of Regents Policy Manual
The University System of Georgia

SECTION 200
INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE

202 PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION OF A PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
INSTITUTIONS

The policy of the Board regarding the selection of a president for University System institutions shall
be as follows:

A presidential search is initiated by the Chancellor, with the agreement of the Board, through the establishment of a Special Regents' Committee, a Presidential Search and Screen Committee, and, when deemed appropriate, a contractual arrangement with an executive search firm.
The Special Regents' Committee shall be appointed by the Chair of the Board and will consist of up to five (5) Regents as voting members, with the Chancellor and the Chair serving as ex officio, non-voting members. At least one member normally shall be the Regent in whose congressional district the institution concerned is located or the Regent residing in closest proximity to that institution. The Board Chair shall appoint one of the voting Regent members as Chair of the Special Regents' Committee.
The Presidential Search and Screen Committee shall be appointed by the Chancellor in consultation with the Board Chair and the Chair of the Special Regents' Committee. In the case of a research university, the voting membership of the Presidential Search and Screen Committee shall consist of six (6) faculty representatives from the institution, one (1) representative of the administration and staff, one (1) student, one (1) representative of the institution's foundation, one (1) representative of the institution's alumni association, and three (3) representatives of the state-at-large. In the case of all other institutions, the votingmembership of the Presidential Search and Screen Committee shall consist of three (3) faculty representatives from the institution, at least one (1) representative of the administrative staff, at least one (1) student, and at least two (2) representatives of the surrounding community (and region, as appropriate), including the institution's foundation and its alumni association and comprising up to one-third of the total voting membership of the committee. For each committee position upon which the Chancellor requests its advice, the respective institution, foundation, or alumni association shall provide two nominations.

The Chancellor will appoint the committee's chair from among the committee's voting members.
The Chancellor shall, in consultation with the Board Chair, the Chair of the Special Regents' Committee and the Chair of the Presidential Search and Screen Committee, determine when a search warrants the services of an executive search firm, and shall develop any necessary contractual agreement that specifies the particular role and reporting lines for such services, all on a case-by-case basis.
The Special Regents' Committee shall confer with the Chancellor regarding the position description and any special qualifications that should be considered for the position. After additional consultation with the Presidential Search and Screen Committee, the Chancellor will finalize the position description.
The Presidential Search and Screen Committee will advertise the position widely through the Applicant Clearing House and other publications and networks likely to reach a diverse audience of candidates, make all possible efforts to search out and attract a rich pool that includes well qualified candidates, receive nominations and applications, and undertake an initial evaluation of applicants -- advised and aided by an executive search firm to the extent that such services have been contracted.
The Presidential Search and Screen Committee shall identify to the Chancellor and the Chair of the Special Regents' Committee not less than five unranked candidates to be presented to the Special Regents' Committee. A list of all applicants for the position shall also be transmitted at this time to the Chancellor and the Chair of the Special Regents' Committee. The Special Regents' Committee may request a further search for applicants, or further consideration by the Presidential Search and Screen Committee of any applicant in addition to the candidates recommended.
The Special Regents' Committee shall conduct its interviews - providing opportunity for the Chancellor also to interview each candidate - and provide its evaluation and advice to the Chancellor, who will make the final recommendation to the full Board of Regents.

At the discretion of the Chancellor and the Chair of the Special Regents' Committee, site visit(s) also may be undertaken.
Insofar as is compatible with state law, all parties to the search, screen, and selection process shall maintain strict confidentiality as to the identity of applicants and any considerations of their credentials, while making efforts to keep the campus community and the public appropriately informed as to the general progress of the search.